Khadija Shaw's fourth goal of the season secured a 1-1 draw for Manchester City Women against Real Madrid in the Women's Champions League on Thursday. The result at the Joie Stadium keeps the reigning English champions unbeaten in all competitions this season, a run that sees them top the FA Women's Super League with a perfect twelve points from four games.
Linda Caicedo gave the visitors the lead after twenty-nine minutes, finishing a move assisted by Andreia Jacinto. City responded after the break, with Shaw levelling the match in the fifty-first minute after being set up by Yui Hasegawa. The home side dominated possession with fifty-three percent of the ball but were tested by a Real Madrid team that registered five shots on target to City's two.
Late drama
The match appeared to be heading for a stalemate until a dramatic final minute. Real Madrid's Silvia Cristóbal thought she had snatched a winner, only for referee Silvia Gasperotti to disallow the goal for a foul on City substitute Beth Mead in the build-up. The decision preserved the draw and City's position at the top of their domestic standings.
Shaw, who now has four goals in as many appearances this term, reflected on the team's performance. "We tried the second half much better than we started the first half," she said. "Disappointed that we didn't win the game but definitely fight to the end and that's good."
Andrée Alexander Jeglertz's side made four changes around the hour mark, introducing Mead, Samantha Coffey, and Grace Clinton to inject fresh energy. The team's recent form reads three wins and two draws from their last five outings. They now turn their attention to a key home fixture against Arsenal on Saturday, October 4, as they continue their European campaign.
