Man City vs Barcelona LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and reaction as Bunny Shaw scores against holders
City faced a tough outing in their first match of the group stages
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Manchester City produced a massive performance to beat FC Barcelona 2-0 in their Women’s Champions League group stage opener against the reigning champions.
Gareth Taylor’s side came through qualifying to reach this stage of the tournament and impressed with a superb 8-0 aggregate win over Paris FC - but that was nothing perhaps, compared to taking on the holders of this trophy and beating them in deserved fashion, following a match of two distinct halves.
In the first 45 it was all City as they were aggressive, quicker to the ball, created plenty of openings and eventually scored from close range through Naomi Layzell; Vivienne Miedema could have added another, but the one-goal lead at the break was certainly the least City deserved. After the restart it was Barcelona who were much more on the front foot, but Aitana Bonmati seeing a low shot saved was as close as they came to an equaliser - and Bunny Shaw instead wrapped up the points with a late breakaway goal for the second for City.
Follow all the Women’s Champions League reaction with our live blog below:
12’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona
Cata Coll, cool as you like! She’s two yards from her own goalline, Park is closing her down at pace...and the Barcelona keeper just drags the ball back, turns away and passes out before Shaw could follow in too.
Plenty of shouts of excitement from City fans but the keeper was clearly never worried!
Hemp then barges Batlle off the ball in the box and is appalled the decision goes against her.
8’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona
Two big openings for Man City - Barcelona having to stand firm now! Shaw is in and just needs a good first touch to get a shot away, but hesitates and is crowded out. Then Park lines up an absolute howitzer from outside the box and it’s a really good block from Leon to clear the danger.
Positive start for City though, certainly not happy to sit back and cling on from the outset.
4’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona
Graham Hansen looks to get on the end of a big chance in the opening stages - she wants a corner but it’s not forthcoming.
Man City get their early warning.
Fowler tries to set Shaw away, but the pass is way too far in front and rolls through to Coll.
1’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona
Underway! Barcelona immediately in possession and moving the ball around - City very much straight in their faces.
Man City v Barcelona - latest updates
Right, game No.2 - City against the holders Barcelona. A reminder of the teams:
Man City XI: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Bacelona XI: Coll, Maria Leon, Graham, Alexia, Patri, Aitana, Rolfo, Pajor, Walsh, O. Battle, Engen
FT - Bayern Munich 5-2 Arsenal
Report and reaction from Arsenal’s defeat to come later on - for now we’re straight over to the next Champions League big match, with Manchester City hosting reigning champions Barcelona.
Lots of action to come, stay tuned!
FT - Bayern Munich 5-2 Arsenal
A bit of a drubbing in the end for Arsenal - they were solid in the first half but once Bayern turned up the heat after the restart, there was simply no living with them.
Even so, those three goals scored by Pernille Harder to wrap up Bayern’s victory will cause Jonas Eidevall some consternation - free and unmarked, two, five and ten yards out, to score a hat-trick in the Champions League. Not great.
Still, there are five matches ahead and Arsenal will expect a response, particularly back in the WSL next weekend following the goalless draw with Everton.
89’ - Bayern 5-2 Arsenal
Some frustrated Arsenal faces out there now as the match winds down. Bayern finally sitting off having inflicted quite enough damage.
Two minutes added on.
GOAL! 86’ - Bayern 5-2 Arsenal
What about that! Hadn’t scored a Champions League goal for Bayern half an hour ago - now Harder has three on the night!
A hat-trick for the former Chelsea star, who follows in her initial shot to prod in from just a yard or two after Zinsberger couldn’t hold the first attempt.
Having been ahead and then later level in this half, it’s ending up a real beating for Arsenal.
84’ - Bayern 4-2 Arsenal
Codina needs to be careful - already booked and now asks for a card for Schuller, who stops a free-kick being taken quickly.
Arsenal try to get matters underway quickly again but are running out of time. Stanway tries a shot from the edge of the box for Bayern but is closed out.
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