Vivienne Miedema was the standout performer as Manchester City triumphed 2-0 over Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final tie. Miedema scored both of City’s goals, leading them to a well-deserved victory.
Manchester City were the more threatening side in the first half. Jill Roord had a powerful shot denied by the outstretched boot of Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who also made a crucial save later on, diving to block a strike from Lily Murphy on the edge of the box.
Chelsea had a few chances of their own. Catarina Macario narrowly missed with a diving header that flew over the bar, while Lauren James delivered a ball across the six-yard box that failed to find any of her teammates.
Early in the second half, Ayaka Yamashita was forced to get behind a long-range effort from James, but it was Manchester City who eventually broke the deadlock in the 60th minute.
Miedema, who had come on at half-time, made an immediate impact, volleying in at the far post after Hampton had managed to tip a header from Laia Aleixandri, following a cross from Mary Fowler, onto the bar.
Chelsea’s Mayra Ramirez had a goal ruled out for offside in the final moments of her time on the pitch, moments before being substituted.
As the game neared its conclusion, Chelsea pressed for an equalizer, and with just 10 minutes left, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s effort struck the crossbar, followed by a rebound attempt from Maika Hamano that was saved by Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Yamashita. The City goalkeeper then kept her side in control by pushing away a powerful shot from Wieke Kaptein.
City sealed the win in the final moments of the match, doubling their lead in the 88th minute. Miedema was again the one to finish, receiving a perfect pass from Kerolin before slotting the ball into the net.
The second leg of this thrilling tie will take place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, March 27, at 8 p.m.
