Nigeria international Toni Payne played a key role as Inter Milan Women opened their UEFA Women’s Champions League league-phase campaign with a 1-0 victory over Swedish side BK Häcken.

Payne started the encounter at the Stadio Brianteo in Monza on Tuesday and featured for 72 minutes as Inter secured their first three points in the league phase of the competition.  

The Super Falcons midfielder was deployed in midfield and helped Inter maintain their structure during a tightly contested encounter before making way for Clara Le Bihan in the 72nd minute.  

Payne completed 82 per cent of her passes during her time on the pitch, underlining her involvement in Inter’s efforts to control the midfield and build attacks against the Swedish visitors.  

The victory represents a significant milestone for Inter, who are competing in the Women’s Champions League league phase for the first time in the club’s history.

Inter had already made history by overcoming Wolfsburg in the qualifying round to reach the league phase for the first time. Payne featured in the dramatic second-leg comeback, coming on in the 60th minute before Inter eventually prevailed 5-4 on penalties.  

Having negotiated that demanding qualifying tie, Inter began their main Champions League campaign with another important result, giving the Italian side three points from their opening fixture.

The new league-phase format will see Inter face six different opponents, with three matches at home and three away.

Payne and her teammates are scheduled to travel to Austria for their next league-phase fixture against Austria Wien on October 1.

Inter’s remaining programme includes meetings with French side OL Lyonnes, Manchester City and Real Madrid, while Arsenal are also among their opponents in what promises to be a demanding European campaign.  

For Payne, the Champions League campaign provides another opportunity to establish herself at the highest level of European women’s club football following her summer move from Everton to Inter.

The Nigerian midfielder joined the Italian club on a contract running until June 2028 after spending two seasons with Everton in the Women’s Super League.  

Her arrival at Inter came after a European career that has also included spells with Ajax and Sevilla, giving the 31-year-old considerable experience across several of Europe’s leading women’s leagues.  

Inter’s first league-phase victory also adds to an encouraging start to the new season for the club. They had entered the Champions League after finishing second in Serie A last season, while Payne has become part of Gianpiero Piovani’s squad as the club seeks to compete domestically and on the European stage.

With six league-phase fixtures to navigate, Inter will now turn their attention to Austria Wien as they look to build on their historic opening victory.