Copper Queens striker Mercy Chipasula made a late cameo in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) as Danish champions HB Køge fell 8-0 to holders FC Barcelona Femeni at the SEAS-NVE Park on Thursday.
This was her second continental appearance for the club, having made her debut during a 5-1 win over Servette FCCF earlier this month.
The Spanish giants went in front in the 12th minute when Caroline Graham Hansen buried her penalty into the bottom corner. Ewa Pajor extended the lead at 33 minutes after making a brilliant run into the penalty area before nutmegging the goalkeeper.
Barcelona’s goal fiesta took full effect in the second half when they netted three goals in the space of eight minutes. An Esmee Brugts header, a backheel finish from Patri Guijarro, and a left-footed thunderbolt by Clara Diaz made it 5-0 in the 62nd minute.
Chipasula follows Kundananji.
With a series of intricate passes in the opposition box, the Catalans made it 6-0 through Kika Nazareth before it was seven after Claudia Pina’s 70th-minute strike. Pina put the icing on the cake in the 85th minute, firing the ball into the back of the net after hoodwinking multiple defenders.
Chipasula was then summoned off the bench a minute later to make her first-ever appearance vs. FC Barcelona. The last time a Zambian player featured against the four-time UWCL winners was in 2023 when Racheal Kundananji ended their 64-game unbeaten streak in Liga F with a brace for Madrid CFF in a 2-1 win.
It is three wins in three matches for Barcelona, who top the standings in the league phase with an aggregate score of 19-2, while HB Køge occupies a playoff spot with one win in three games so far.
Chipasula will be looking to make her mark at HB Køge, a club she joined from Zambian side Kamfinsa PBE Queens in late September.
HB Køge now turn their attention to the A-Liga clash against Fortuna Hjørring at the SEAS-NVE Park on Sunday. With 29 points from 12 matches, their title defense is on the right track as they sit in the top spot.
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