Manchester City achieved a significant 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, putting an end to Chelsea's unbeaten run this season. The match highlighted the tenacity of City's Vivianne Miedema, who scored both goals in what was a critical match for her side.
After a string of injuries, Miedema's presence marked a turning point for the game. Four days prior to this match, Chelsea had triumphed over City in the English League Cup final, but this was a different scenario. Returning to form, Miedema made a notable entry as a substitute in the second half and had a tremendous impact on the match. Within 15 minutes of her introduction, she struck in the 60th minute. Miedema capitalized on a rebound after Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton deflected Laia Aleixandri’s header onto the bar, powering the ball into the net to put City in front.
As the game drew to a close, Miedema sealed the victory with her second goal in the dying moments. Following a swift break by City, Kerolin Nicoli set her up perfectly for a clinical left-footed strike that left Hampton with no chance.
Despite their loss, Chelsea had moments of promise throughout the match. At one stage, Mayra Ramírez had a goal disallowed for offside. Furthermore, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd nearly equalized for Chelsea with a shot that rattled the bar, while Maika Hamano's follow-up was expertly saved by City’s Ayaka Yamashita. Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor commented on her team's performance, stating, “We didn’t play with a lot of desire. We need to run to make more effort as a team, but also as individuals.” She noted the necessity for increased effort to compete at the highest levels, suggesting a need to focus on team dynamics beyond just tactical considerations.
This match was just the beginning of a busy period for both teams, as they are set to clash again in a Women’s Super League match on Sunday, March 23, 2025, followed by the Champions League second leg on March 27 at Stamford Bridge. For City, this victory gives them momentum and confidence as they prepare for their next encounters.
Earlier in the evening, Barcelona also made a statement in the competition, defeating Wolfsburg 4-1 in their quarterfinal first leg. This match marked the first meeting of these two teams since Barcelona's dramatic 3-2 victory in the Champions League final in 2023. Ewa Pajor, a former Wolfsburg player, was instrumental, contributing to the scoreline with persistent pressure that led to an own goal from Caitlin Dijkstra. Barcelona showcased their dominance with goals from Irene Paredes and Salma Paralluelo, effectively putting Wolfsburg on the back foot.
As the Champions League progresses, the stage is set for intense matchups. Chelsea will be looking to rebound from this defeat and reclaim their momentum in the league, while Manchester City aims to build on this critical win and assert their position in European football. All eyes will be on the upcoming matches, particularly the highly-anticipated second leg at Stamford Bridge.
