Barcelona dismantle Man City to top group

Barcelona beat Manchester City 3-0 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to secure top spot in Group D of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Both sides finished on 15 points from their six group games and progressed into the knockout stages, but Pere Romeu’s side secured the home quarter-final due to a better head-to-head record than City.

The hosts forced Khiara Keating into several excellent saves early on, before Claudia Pina gave them the lead right at the end of the first half, latching on to the ball in the box before firing into the corner.

Balon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati doubled Barcelona’s lead early in the second half, poking the ball past Keating following an excellent breakaway.

Substitute Alexia Putellas made it three with a brilliant strike from outside the box, as the reigning champions of the Women’s Champions League proved just too good for the English side.

The City goalkeeper made several stops throughout the second half to avoid an embarrassing scoreline for the visitors.

Jill Roord rattled the crossbar from distance during the first half, but that was as close as City got to threatening Catalina Coll’s goal, as they failed to bounce back from their recent defeat to Everton in the WSL.

Barcelona now travel to Costa Adeje Tenerife at the weekend in the Copa de la Reina, whilst City have a welcomed break until they face Ipswich in the FA Cup on the January 12.

There is a reason that Barcelona have won the last two Women’s Champions Leagues and they showed that form against City tonight. The Spanish side were too quick for the visitors in everything they did and 3-0 flattered Gareth Taylor’s side in the end. Barcelona secured a home quarter-final with victory and will be hoping they can go all the way again in the competition.

The Barcelona forward was in excellent form and could have easily had a hat-trick if it wasn’t for the excellent Keating. The Spanish star opened the scoring for the hosts at the end of a frustrating first half and caused chaos throughout the second to create space for those around her. The City defenders could not live with the pace and trickery of Pina.

Barcelona: Coll 7, Batlle 6, Paredes 7, Mapi Leon 7, Brugts 8, Bonmati 9, Walsh 7, Guijarro 6, Paralluelo 7, Pajor 5, Pina 9*. Subs: Putellas 8, Rolfo 6, Nazareth 6, Lopez N/A, Fernandez N/A.

Manchester City: Keating 9, Casparij 6, Kennedy 5, Aleixandri 4, Ouahabi 5, Roord 7, Hasegawa 6, Blindkilde Brown 5, Fowler 4, Park 4, Fujino 4. Subs: Murphy 5, Coombs N/A.

10’ BARCELONA CHANCE! BARCELONA 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY – City are really under the cosh here, as Esmee Brugts breaks forward from left-back and forces a corner. The visitors do well to clear their lines from the resulting corner.

24’ MAN CITY CHANCE! BARCELONA 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY – The visitors break quickly against the run of play and put together a great move, before Jess Park strikes at goal, but her shot is straight at Catalina Coll.

28’ HUGE BARCELONA CHANCE! – Bonmati almost scores a brilliant goal for the hosts! The Spanish star steals the ball high up the pitch and goes for an audacious attempt at goal, trying to chip Keating. However, the ball drifts just wide.

37’ CITY STRIKE THE BAR! – Jill Roord hits a brilliant effort from far out, which rattles against the crossbar! That was nearly a huge goal for Man City.

45’ BARCELONA GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 MANCHESTER CITY (PINA) – Barcelona finally have the breakthrough and it’s Claudia Pina with her fifth goal of the competition. The ball bounced off a few players in the City box before falling to Barca’s No. 9, who made no mistake with the finish.

57’ GOAL FOR BARCELONA! BARCELONA 2-0 MANCHESTER CITY (BONMATI) – Barcelona currently move to the top of Group D! Bonmati is played in by Pajor and breaks away from the City defence, before poking the ball through the legs of Keating. The reigning champions have been excellent.

69’ BARCELONA GOAL! BARCELONA 3-0 MANCHESTER CITY (PUTELLAS) – This has been a masterclass from Barcelona and they all but secure the top spot in Group D. Just after coming on, Alexia Putellas picks up the ball on the edge of the box and strikes the ball into the back of the net, leaving Keating stranded.

Barcelona had a whopping 30 shots on goal throughout the match, compared to City’s three. Dominance.