The Dane netted a hat-trick with a goal in the first half followed by a second half brace. Sam Kerr netted an impressive four goals, while Katerina Svitkova came off the bench to score her first goal for the club on a dominant evening at Kingsmeadow.

With Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid playing out a goalless stalemate, the Blues moved to the top of Group A with maximum points from their opening two matches, while giving a healthy boost to our goal difference.

Our Champions League campaign is put on pause until November and December, when we face Real Madrid in back-to-back games on matchdays three and four – games which could prove crucial in shaping the table as we reach the business end of the group stage.

Reflecting on an emphatic victory on home turf against Vllaznia, Harder was humble when talking about her hat-trick, valuing the collective success of the team over her individual achievements on the night.

‘I think it was a really good performance from the team. I think we played really well. We played fast, had some good combinations and some great goals as well, I think. Of course I’m proud, but I’m more proud of the team and the win. Of course, it’s nice to score goals but it’s not the most important thing. The win and the way we played today is the most important thing, I think.’

General Manager Paul Green and defender Millie Bright spoke in the build-up to the game about being more clinical in front of goal. Harder echoed this sentiment and believes the nature of the goals we scored against Vllaznia can act as a springboard for upcoming matches.

‘For sure, it’s important to take the chances you have and we really did that today. We can take the confidence with us into the next games.’

Six points from as many available leaves the Blues sitting nicely at the top of Group A after two games. Harder says they will tackle each opponent as they come and is adamant we must not get carried away with four matches still to play.

‘I think to just take one game at a time and give everything in each game. We happen to be top of the group after two games, but we have another game after the international break. We have to do a really good performance in that game, take one game at a time and take all the confidence we can with each win.’

Looking ahead to our next league game, which sees Aston Villa come to Kingsmeadow on Sunday, Harder acknowledged their promising start to the season and knows we will need to be on our game to come away with a victory.

‘I think they’ve had some good results. I will be interesting to see how the game will turn out. They’re a good team with good players so we have to be 100% ready for that.’