BARCELONA, Spain (Interstat) — FC Barcelona began its UEFA Women’s Champions League title defense with a 3-1 group-stage victory over Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Wednesday at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Ewa Pajor opened the scoring for the hosts in the 29th minute. Benfica substitute Chandra Davidson equalized just before halftime in the 46th, but Barcelona responded quickly after the break. Christy Ucheibe, another substitute, put Benfica back ahead with a 54th-minute own goal. Defender Laia Aleixandri sealed the win for Barcelona four minutes later.

Benfica’s Catarina Amado received a yellow card in stoppage time. Barcelona, projected as heavy favorites by statistical models, improved to 1-0 in the competition while Benfica fell to 0-1.