Chelsea Women were well satisfied with their 4-0 Conti Cup victory away to Palace, but newly formed women’s team Benfica rather eclipsed the tally at the weekend.

Benfica were only set up at the end of 2017 (hence having to start in the second tier of Portuguese football, much like Manchester United in the WSL2 this season)… although they do number several Brazil and Portugal internationals in their ranks.

But the team achieved an extraordinary 28-0 victory over Ponte de Frielas in their first league outing, giving teams in other parts of Europe early warning of what may be to come in future seasons in the Women’s Champions League.

Benfica opened the scoring after two minutes, and led 16-0 at half-time. They took their foot off the pedal in the second half, only scoring a dozen further goals. By the final whistle, nine separate players had their names on the scoresheet.

Watch out for Darlene de Souza, who was recruited to the team five months ago and who scored eight of the goals, and spare a thought for the worn-out fingers of Benfica’s Twitter reporter who had to announce each goal as it flew in.

The result beats the previous highest score in senior football in Portugal – Sporting Lisbon’s 21-0 win in the 1971 Portuguese Cup.

At times it makes painful viewing, but the action can be watched at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrCs1zy_Zes