In a thrilling match on March 19, 2025, Manchester City Women claimed a pivotal victory over Chelsea Women in the first leg of the Women's Champions League semi-finals. This match was a testament to the team's tenacity, following their defeat to Chelsea in the FA Women's League Cup final just four days prior. With Yui Hasegawa and Aoba Yamashita in the starting lineup, Manchester City delivered a stunning performance, defeating their rivals 2-0.
The match got off to a tense start, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half, beginning with an impressive goal from Fifiiane Endema in the 60th minute, who took advantage of a rebound to strike first for Manchester City. Just when Chelsea seemed to be regrouping, Endema struck again in the 89th minute, solidifying their two-goal lead and maintaining their hopes of advancing in the tournament.
Yui Hasegawa's performance was particularly noteworthy; the midfielder played the full match and greatly influenced Manchester City's attack. Recognized for her exceptional play, Hasegawa received a rating of '8' from GOAL's global edition, showcasing her importance in not only supporting the midfield but also linking up effectively with her teammates. "She showed incredibly strong play and greatly contributed to the victory. All of City's best attacks ran through her," the review stated, emphasizing her integral role.
On the defensive side, goalkeeper Aoba Yamashita also made headlines with her solid performance, earning the same rating of '8' for her contributions to the team's clean sheet. Yamashita's confidence between the posts was paramount, as she made crucial saves, including a pivotal stop against Chelsea's captain, ensuring her team held onto their advantage. The report noted, "She was full of confidence, dealing with every play, and she showcased an important save in the second half, achieving a clean sheet."
This match was particularly significant for Manchester City, marking a satisfying response to their defeat in the League Cup final just days earlier, where they had been left devastated after conceding an own goal that led to their loss. Chelsea, on the other hand, saw their impressive unbeaten streak come to an end; before this match, they were on a remarkable run of 31 matches without a loss (29 wins and 2 draws) in official competitions. The defeat means that Chelsea must now regroup as they prepare for the upcoming second leg at their home ground, Stamford Bridge, on March 27, 2025.
Amidst the excitement of the match, Maika Hamano made her entrance for Chelsea in the 73rd minute, aiming to assist in reversing the fortunes for her team, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match. The looming second leg promises to be an electrifying encounter as Chelsea looks to redeem themselves against Manchester City.
As the dust settles on this first leg, Manchester City WFC finds themselves with a crucial advantage heading into the return fixture, fueled by renewed confidence and the support of a passionate fan base eager for success in the Champions League.
