Manchester City continued their impressive run in the UEFA Women's Champions League, securing a decisive 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their quarter-final match on March 19, 2025. The performance was particularly notable due to the remarkable brace scored by Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema, who was introduced as a substitute at halftime. This match was held at the Joie Stadium, where City capitalized on Chelsea's downtime after their previous triumph over them in the League Cup final just days prior.
Miedema's entrance to the game was strategically timed by interim coach Nick Cushing, who decided to start the match without her, a decision he described as a gamble given her reputation and skill set. “Viv starting on the bench tonight and coming off it is a bit of a gamble,” Cushing acknowledged in his post-match comments. “But I knew Viv would be able to come for 45 minutes and be a huge presence in the game, and you can see that with the result.”
The anticipation among City fans was palpable as the second half commenced, particularly because Miedema's involvement heightens the team's offensive potential. “I’m sure you can imagine what she said when I didn’t name her in the team. I expected it; I expect that from every world-class player when you don’t put them in,” Cushing explained.
After a tense first half, in which Chelsea put pressure on City but failed to convert chances, Miedema made an immediate impact. Her first goal came just after the hour mark, when she capitalized on a rebound from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, following a header from Laia Aleixandri that crashed off the crossbar. Miedema's tenacity and positioning were crucial for City, showcasing her elite finishing ability. She reiterated her dominance in the attack by sealing the win with a second goal only two minutes before the end of the match.
Cushing emphasized Miedema’s role in turning the game: “I was confident if she got chances she’d score; she is a top-level finisher. She’s frustrated because she thinks she should have had a hat-trick!”
The match was significant not just for the scoreline, but also for its implications for both teams moving forward. Chelsea’s defeat marked their first of the season, breaking an impressive unbeaten streak of 28 games under manager Sonia Bompastor, which included 26 victories. Bompastor reflected on her team's performance: “I think we didn’t start to play from the beginning of the game. I think also we didn’t play with the desire we needed in the first half.”
City had been searching for a reliable alternative to their star striker Khadija Shaw, who was missing due to injury, alongside fellow forward Aoba Fujino. They also had to manage player minutes effectively, as this match was part of a series of four consecutive fixtures against Chelsea in just over a week. Cushing mentioned how crucial it was for him to manage Miedema’s involvement carefully. “For me, it’s about getting her closer to the goal. However, we set the team up, I don’t want to take Viv’s strengths away by having her deeper.”
The game played at Joie Stadium was the first for Cushing since returning to the club in an interim capacity following the recent departure of former coach Gareth Taylor. “It’s crazy to think my last game at the stadium was the Arsenal game in 2019. It was important for me tonight that the team put a performance in that I believe reflects us in this stadium, and I really wanted to win the game for the fans,” Cushing expressed.
The next encounter between City and Chelsea is set for March 23 at the Etihad Stadium, followed by the return leg on March 27 at Stamford Bridge. Fans eagerly anticipate how this intense rivalry will continue, especially after Chelsea came close to pulling back in the 80th minute when substitute Johanna Rytting Kaneryd hit the bar. The rivalry has provided thrilling matches thus far, and the upcoming fixtures promise to deliver even more excitement.
Overall, these matches showcase the competitiveness in women’s football, especially among top teams in the league, and the performances of players like Miedema highlight the growing talent and importance of women's football on the international stage.
