Manchester City secured their place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout rounds with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hammarby Women in Stockholm, with two group games to spare. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw starred once again, scoring both goals to lead her side to victory, despite appearing to be struck by an object from the crowd during her celebrations.
The win ensured City maintained their perfect record in the group stage and clinched a quarter-final spot. A crowd of 20,248 at the Tele2 Arena, a record attendance for a women’s club match in Sweden, witnessed the clash. Gareth Taylor’s team, needing just a point to progress, showed resilience to secure all three, bouncing back from their weekend Women’s Super League loss to Chelsea.
Hammarby, buoyed by their vocal home support, started the match strongly. Former City midfielder Julie Blakstad was a constant threat, orchestrating attacks and creating chances. Cathinka Tandberg came close early, while Ellen Wangerheim missed a gilt-edged chance after latching onto a dangerous cross from Blakstad.
City struggled to create clear opportunities in the opening stages but broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Shaw’s deflected strike gave the visitors the lead, marking her seventh goal in the competition and solidifying her status as City’s all-time top scorer in Europe. The celebration was marred, however, when Shaw appeared to be struck by a projectile, earning her a yellow card for excessive celebration from referee Silvia Gasperotti.
Hammarby continued to press, and Blakstad’s effort narrowly missed before halftime. Their persistence paid off three minutes into the second half when Wangerheim capitalized on another Blakstad cross, turning the ball in at the back post to level the score.
City responded almost immediately. In the 52nd minute, Jess Park found Shaw on the edge of the box, and the Jamaican forward rifled a shot into the top corner, restoring City’s lead with her 12th goal in 13 appearances this season.
Hammarby pushed for another equalizer, but City goalkeeper Khiara Keating delivered a standout performance, producing crucial saves to deny Tandberg and Blakstad in a stunning double effort shortly after Shaw’s second goal. Keating was called upon again in the closing minutes, diving to stop a powerful strike from Anna Josendal to preserve the lead.
City had chances to extend their advantage late on, with Shaw’s cross setting up Aoba Fujino, but the Japanese forward’s effort was turned aside by Hammarby’s goalkeeper. Despite the hosts’ late pressure, City’s defense held firm to secure their third consecutive group-stage victory.
With two games remaining, Manchester City are assured of a spot in the quarter-finals, continuing their unbeaten European campaign alongside Real Madrid in Group B. The team will now wait until February to learn their next opponents in the competition.
