Manchester City continued their perfect start in the Women’s Champions League group stage, securing a victory over a resilient Hammarby side thanks to second-half goals from young talents Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino. The English leaders, though not at their best, managed to get the job done, especially without the creative spark of Lauren Hemp. The hosts' clever passing eventually broke through Hammarby's stubborn defense, keeping them atop their group and on track for the quarter-finals.
City fans might have expected an easy win, considering Hammarby's 9-0 loss to Barcelona in their previous away game. However, the visitors showed much stronger resistance this time. City head coach Gareth Taylor had warned against complacency, calling the 9-0 scoreline 'misleading'. The Swedish team's dedicated supporters, nearly 400 strong, provided a lively atmosphere at the Joie Stadium, their chanting unwavering despite City's dominance in possession.
The match saw chances for both sides, with Khadija Shaw and Mary Fowler nearly scoring for City, and Asato Miyagawa coming close for Hammarby. The deadlock was finally broken less than 90 seconds into the second half when Blindkilde Brown scored her first Champions League goal. The move showcased City's slick passing, with contributions from Jess Park, Aoba Fujino, and Yui Hasegawa.
City's second goal came from Fujino, who met Leila Ouahabi's cross from the left wing. The result puts City in a strong position, needing just one more win to secure a spot in the knockout stages. Ahead lies a crucial match against Chelsea, which might have influenced Taylor's decision to make late substitutions, keeping an eye on the upcoming clash.
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