Aitana Bonmatí returned to action at Camp Nou on Sunday, coming on for the final 30 minutes of FC Barcelona's 7-0 win over Real Madrid in Liga F's El Clásico. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner is still working her way back from a broken leg, but teammate Clàudia Pina made sure she didn't need to shoulder goal-scoring responsibilities while doing so.
Clàudia Pina Opens Scoring for Barcelona
Heavy rain in Catalonia delayed kickoff by two hours, though it did nothing to slow Barcelona FC's attack once play began.
Pina struck in just the fourth minute and added three more goals before halftime, putting the match out of reach before 40,533 fans. Caroline Graham Hansen also scored before the break, while Ewa Pajor and Sydney Schertenleib found the net after the restart.
"This is what we work for," Pina said after the match. "It's been a difficult start to the season, but we made a statement today. Barça will always be Barça. We will keep going in the exact same manner."
Barça Quell Doubts After Major Stars Leave
Even without Alexia Putellas, who left after 14 seasons, and with Bonmatí limited to substitute minutes, Barcelona FC has maintained a perfect record through six Liga F matches. Real Madrid, meanwhile, took its first loss of the campaign.
With Pina filling the void up front and Bonmatí edging closer to full fitness, the gap between the two rivals feels as wide as ever.
