Manchester City have gotten off to a flying start in the UEFA Women's Champions League after a 2-0 win over defending champions Barcelona.
On Wednesday night, Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign off with a huge encounter with two-in-a-row title winners Barcelona, and have started their group stage off with three points.
The biggest test Manchester City could have had right at the beginning of the Champions League season, with current champions and favourites to do so again, Barcelona, being the team the Cityzens would need to take on first from their group which also contains the likes of St Polten and Hammarby, who also played Wednesday, and it was Hammarby with a 2-0 win to get up and running.
Despite a commendable start to the 24/25 season for Manchester City, who have beat Paris FC 8-0 on aggregate to cement their place in the Champions League group stage and are at the top of the Women's Super League table with seven points thus far, it was still the Catalan club that was heavily favoured to earn a victory on matchday one or even draw with Man City.
But to prove everyone wrong, it was Manchester City who ended matchday one with a win, showing a real statement display for what this squad is capable of doing in Europe and during the season.
Naomi Layzell started the celebrations for Manchester City, as she not only scored the first goal of the evening but also her first goal for the Sky Blues - an incredible achievement for Naomi Layzell.
And then who else but Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw to seal the deal? The Jamaican striker made it 2-0 for Manchester City after a sprint ahead from Shaw, with two defenders and the goalkeeper unable to keep Shaw from finding the back of the net.
A phenomenal start for Manchester City in their return to the UEFA Champions League, with a huge statement win to really show their ability and their determination to come out this season with silverware and success.
Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw on her goal & Man City's big win
"I was going to the shot early but as I lifted my head up I saw the keeper already on the floor. I decided to take it around her and try to slot it and put it back where it was coming from. If I kicked it a little harder, the defender probably would have gotten it."
"We had a lot of chances in the first half but we just couldn't convert them and we spoke about it at halftime that it was just a matter of time and we were giving a lot of energy at the top of the pitch."
"It was just about trying to get that goal to calm the nerves and it came at a good time and I think it definitely helped the team stay calm, pull back our composure and get our feet back in the game."