A masterclass from Bordeaux [7-1]

It's the 18thminute. Maëlle Garbino steps up to take a free kick, placing it sweetly in a spot where Reims keeper Tullis-Joyce simply cannot stop it from flying into the back of the net. 3-0 to Bordeaux, already, after fifteen minutes of total domination. The scene was set early on, when Inès Jauréna scored her first goal of the season from her first touch of the ball. Maëlle Garbino's cross found Khadija Shaw in the middle, and her shot rebounded into the path of Jauréna. A few minutes later Khadija Shaw got one herself, with Maëlle Garbino once again providing the assist (2-0, 11’).

Fortunately for Reims, Bordeaux didn't score from every opportunity. Katja Snoeijs (14’, 29’), Maëlle Garbino (20’), Khadija Shaw (32’, 34’) and Ghoutia Karchouni (37’, 39’) all tested the visitors' defence. Wonderful link-up play, textbook technique, incisive tackling: the Girondines had it all today. They found the net again soon enough, when a nice bit of control from Katja Snoeijs teed up, Khadija Shaw, who shrugged off two defenders to fire home from close range (4-0, 41’). And yet, in spite of the heavy scoreline, Reims really weren't all that bad. They managed to pull a goal back courtesy of Melissa Gomes just before the break (4-1, 45’+1). The striker had already seen one shot stopped by Anna Moorhouse (26’).

The Girondines could have been forgiven for taking things easy in the second half, but they did nothing of the sort. Maëlle Garbino struck again, placing a peach of a left-footed shot into the top corner (5-1, 54’). Khadija Shaw completed another hat trick, when Charlotte Bilbault charged through the middle and picked out the Jamaican international, who left Tullis-Joyce no chance (6-1, 66’). With 27 goals to her name, Khadija is now the top scorer in the club's top flight history, ahead of Viviane Asseyi (24). Pedro Martinez Losa decided now was the time to send on Svava Gudmundsdottir and Claire Lavogez. The former limped off with an injury late on, but Claire scored Bordeaux's seventh and final goal from the penalty spot. Poor Tullis-Joyce blocked her first effort, but Lavogez followed it up and finished the job (7-1, 76’).

In spite of it all, Reims never gave up. They create a few chances (48’, 90’+1), but Moorhouse was superb. With a bravura performance, Bordeaux secured their biggest ever win in D1. The Girondines are now firmly-established in 3rd place, moving away from the competition. Many congratulations to the players and the whole staff for this footballing masterclass.