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Hermoso scores as holders Barcelona beat Koge in Denmark

DeFodi Images / Getty

Paris, Oct 14, 2021 (AFP) - Jenni Hermoso marked her first start of the season with a late goal from the penalty spot as holders Barcelona laboured to a 2-0 women's Champions League win at Danish debutants Koge on Thursday.

Barca, who thumped former winners Arsenal 4-1 in their opener last week, are three points clear at the top of the early Group C table ahead of Hoffenheim, who visit Arsenal later Thursday.

The Spanish giants struggled as unheralded Koge kept them at bay for longer than any team managed in the whole of last season's competition.

But Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfo, a close-season signing from Wolfsburg, finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with her first Champions League goal for Barcelona.

Despite attempting 31 shots at goal during the game, the visitors did not put the game to bed until the fifth minute of added time.

Star striker Hermoso, still on the comeback trail after two months out with an ankle injury, safely fired the penalty into the corner.

Barcelona will look to make it three victories from three when they return to Champions League action in November with a home game against Hoffenheim.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich bounced back from their disappointing opening draw with Benfica by thrashing Swedish side Hacken 4-0.

Germany forward Lea Schuller scored twice inside the first 11 minutes as hosts Bayern quickly set about securing their first win of the inaugural group stage.

Her international teammate Linda Dallmann grabbed the third with 19 minutes remaining before substitute Jovana Damnjanovic added some extra gloss to the scoreline in injury time.

Bayern, who lost to Chelsea in last season's semi-finals, moved top of Group D above record seven-time winners Lyon, who can usurp them again later when they host Benfica.

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