Barcelona Women 3-0 Man City Women: Barca top Champions League Group D after cruising past City

Match report from the Women's Champions League Group D match between Barcelona Women and Man City Women; Claudia Pina finally beats Khiara Keating in first half; Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas score in second period; Barcelona top group on goal difference with City second

Wednesday 18 December 2024 22:20, UK

Barcelona leapfrogged injury-hit Manchester City to finish top of Group D in the Women's Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Olympic Stadium.

City, who have qualified for the quarter-finals in second, struggled without stars Khadija Shaw, Chloe Kelly, Alex Greenwood, Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp, with Barcelona needing to win by two clear goals to finish above the visitors on goal difference.

The hosts recorded 30 shots, forcing City goalkeeper Khiara Keating into 14 saves, before finally beating her just before half-time when Claudia Pina clinically fired home from inside the box.

The closest City came to scoring was when Jill Roord's long-range shot crashed back off the crossbar.

Barca netted the second just before the hour mark when Aitana Bonmati burst clear of the City defence and finished through the legs of Keating.

Alexia Putellas soon wrapped up the victory just minutes after coming on off the bench, firing past the unsighted Keating from the edge of the box.

Both sides finished on 15 points but Barcelona snatched top spot thanks to their superior goal difference meaning City are now in the second knockout pool and could face a tougher draw.

Taylor: Defeat won't define us

Man City boss Gareth Taylor said:

"[It was an] Amazing effort, we know we weren't functioning and effective in certain areas with and without the ball, but you couldn't fault the effort of the players.

"This game won't define us. We'll learn, get better, get players back, start to get stronger and will improve. It was tough. Barcelona set off at a very good pace at the start, got the bit between their teeth, attacked and pressed us really hard.

"You have to give credit to them, they're a top team, we're trying to do something similar and it takes time to build that. We were a little bit dysfunctional with and without the ball tonight, the effort from the girls was first class."

On Khiara Keating: "She was outstanding tonight, showed a lot of personality and a lot of maturity for someone so young on the biggest stage."