Shaw scores twice as City secure quarter-final spot with win at Hammarby

Manchester City marched into the knockout stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a 2-1 win against Hammarby in Stockholm.

Hammarby made a strong start, pressing City with intensity and winning the ball in dangerous areas. City grew into the match, though, and after 31 minutes they had the opening goal thanks to Khadija Shaw.

The Jamaica international cut in on her right foot before firing an effort which, with the help of a deflection, looped up and over goalkeeper Anna Tamminen and into the back of the net.

Hammarby levelled proceedings just three minutes into the second period, with Julie Blakstad firing a ball across the face of goal for Ellen Wangerheim to tap home from close range.

Hammarby were not level for long, with Shaw grabbing her second of the game just four minutes later to fire City ahead. The City star took a great touch to set herself before firing a rocket into the top corner past Tamminen.

A fantastic double save from goalkeeper Khiara Keating preserved City’s lead, with the 20-year-old pulling off a great stop to deny Tandberg from close range before getting back to her feet in time to save the rebound.

The hosts pushed in the second half to find an equaliser but Gareth Taylor’s side stood firm and escaped Stockholm with all three points, sending them into the knockout stage with two group games to spare.

Gareth Taylor’s side arrived in Stockholm knowing just a point would be enough to send Manchester City into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

City, though, went one better and picked up all three points to secure qualification in style, continuing their perfect group stage campaign in the Swedish capital.

City have now won all four of their matches in Group D, scoring nine goals and conceded just three in the process. It’s the first time they’ve reached the last eight of the competition since 2020/21.

The fact they have qualified for the knockouts with two games to spare will be a great relief to Taylor, who can now use those matches as a chance to alternate his side and rest key players with one eye on closing the gap on Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. A fantastic night sees perfect City march on.

Khadija Shaw was the star of the show tonight for City, with her brace the difference between the two sides in Stockholm.

Her first goal had a hint of fortune, with a deflection looping it over the Hammarby goalkeeper but there was nothing fortuitous about her second, with the Jamaica international rifling a superb effort past Tamminen.

Shaw created some good chances too and on another day could have left the match with an assist to her name as well as her two goals. A fantastic display from a genuine superstar.

Hammarby IK: Tamminen 6, Lennartsson 6, Carlsson 6, Nystrom 6, Andersson 6, Miyagawa 7, Joramo 7, Wangerheim 7, Vallotto 7, Blakstad 8, Tandberg 6 Subs: Josendal 7, Westin 6, Holmberg 6, Hasund N/A, Sorbo N/A

Manchester City: Keating 7, Ouahabi 7, Greenwood 7, Kennedy 6, Prior 6, Blindkilde 6, Hasegawa 6, Park 6, Fujino 6, Shaw 9, Fowler 7 Subs: Kelly 6

22’ – INCHES AWAY FROM AN OPENER – Shaw flicks on an effort from a corner, which takes a touch off a Hammarby player and rolls just past the post.

31’ – GOAL! HAMMARBY 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY (SHAW) – Shaw has given Manchester City the lead! The Jamaican cut inside on her right foot and fired an effort which, with the help of a huge deflection, looped over Tamminen and into the back of the net.

42’ – JUST WIDE FROM BLAKSTAD! – That was a brilliant piece of play from Blakstad which almost resulted in an equaliser for the hosts. The former City attacker turned two defenders inside out with great footwork before firing an effort just wide of the target.

48’ – GOAL! HAMMARBY 1-1 MANCHESTER CITY (WANGERHEIM) – Hammarby are level! Blakstad fired a ball across the face of goal and Wangerheim was at the back post to tap home. What a start to the second half for the hosts!

52’ – GOAL! HAMMARBY 1-2 MANCHESTER CITY (SHAW) – Shaw has made it 2-1 to Manchester City! Jessica Park laid the ball off to Shaw who checked back onto her right foot with a lovely touch before firing a missile into the top corner. The perfect response from City.

54’ – WHAT A DOUBLE SAVE FROM KEATING! – Hammarby so close to an equaliser! Tandberg is slipped in but her effort is saved brilliantly by Keating who then gets up quickly to save the rebounded effort.

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw is now Manchester City’s all-time top scorer in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with seven goals.