Barcelona Secures Top Spot in Women’s Champions League with 3-0 Victory Over Manchester City
Barcelona claimed the top position in Group D of the Women’s Champions League with a convincing 3-0 win against Manchester City at the Olympic Stadium. This victory allows Barcelona to surge ahead of a depleted City side, who qualified for the quarter-finals in second place.
Manchester City, missing key players such as Khadija Shaw, Chloe Kelly, Alex Greenwood, Vivianne Miedema, and Lauren Hemp due to injuries, struggled throughout the match. Barcelona needed at least a two-goal margin to clinch the group lead, and they did just that with a dominant performance.
The hosts unleashed a remarkable 30 shots on goal, forcing City’s goalkeeper Khiara Keating to make an impressive 14 saves. Barcelona broke the deadlock just before half-time when Claudia Pina found the net with a clinical finish from inside the box.
Manchester City’s closest opportunity came from Jill Roord, whose long-range shot struck the crossbar. However, Barcelona doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark when Aitana Bonmati slipped past the City defense and found the back of the net through Keating’s legs.
Shortly after coming on as a substitute, Alexia Putellas sealed the victory for Barcelona, scoring from the edge of the box and leaving Keating unable to respond.
Both teams finished the group stage with 15 points, but Barcelona’s superior goal difference allowed them to secure first place. As a result, Manchester City now faces the possibility of a tougher draw in the second knockout round.
