Yahoo Sports 💫 UWCL:Arsenal shocked by BK Häcken, Juventus thump PSG, Man City win big
The Round 2 first legs of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League begin on Wednesday.
Here’s the lowdown.
Man City demolish Paris FC without Bunny Shaw
Scorers: Miedema 36′, Park 38′ 58′, Fowler 49′, Kelly 79′
Man City had to do without Bunny Shaw due to visa issues, but that didn’t seem to bother Gareth Taylor’s side, as they soon took the lead when Jess Park put in a cross from the right that new signing Viv Miedema converted on the half-volley.
Park then had a goal for herself when she finished a chance from close range just two minutes later.
City really had a grip on the tie when Paris ‘keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a mess of playing out from the back, allowing Mary Fowler to pounce and add City’s third.
Less than ten minutes later and this time Nnadozie made a good attempt to save from Lauren Hemp’s header, but ultimately ended up parrying the ball into the path of Park, who added her second.
When Hemp clipped the post with her shot from a tight angle, Chloe Kelly was on hand to convert the rebound, making this two-legged affair almost beyond reach already for Paris.
BK Häcken shock Arsenal with first-leg win
Scorers: Tindell 77′
A lacklustre Arsenal side go into their second leg with BK Häkken 1-0 down as they succumbed to defeat to the Swedish side.
Arsenal went in at the break goalless, but had come close in the first half as Rosa Kafaji clattered the woodwork when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Nothing was quite clicking for Jonas Eidevall’s side, and Häcken had a few good chances of their own to take the lead.
Perhaps the Gunners should’ve heeded that warning, as the Swedish outfit then took the lead as a ball over the top caught out their backline and was converted by Tabitha Tindell.
Juventus have big advantage going into second leg with PSG
Scorers: Vangsgaard 7′ Cantore 34′, Bennison 61′; Samoura 12′
PSG were shocked by Juventus as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat by the Italian side.
Juventus took the lead thanks to a quick counter-attack, and the one-touch finish came from new signing Amalie Vangsgaard as she scored against her former club.
That lead was short-lived though, as Thiniba Samoura curled in a wonderful effort from just outside the box just five minutes later.
The Bianconere were back in front when Sofia Cantore went from assist-maker to goal-scorer, tricking the defence first with a nutmeg and brilliant cut-back before firing home.
Juve added their third just after the hour mark, winning the ball back high up the pitch and putting together a good team move for Hanna Bennison to finish.
Benfica come back to win against Hammarby
Scorers: Blakstad 16′; Martín-Prieto 39′, Norton 47′
Benfica go into their second leg with a 2-1 advantage over Hammarby.
The Swedish side got off to a great start when Julie Blakstad netted thanks to some brilliant work from Cathinka Tandberg on the assist.
Benfica had levelled the scores just before half time, as Cristina Martín-Prieto capitalised on some hesitation in the backline and raced forward, slotting the ball home for the finish.
Into the second half and the Portuguese side were in the ascendancy, as Andreia Norton scored with a looping shot over the goalkeeper.
Fiorentina v Wolfsburg
Scorers: Hegering 6′, 25′, Popp 38′, 53′ 57′, Brand 44′, Endemann 83′
Wolfsburg put on a real show of dominance against Fiorentina, as a hat-trick from Germany international Alexandra Popp contributed to a 7-0 win on the night.
International team-mate Marina Hegering also netted a brace, while the sixth was added by Jule Brand, another member of the Germany side.
The seventh was added by 23-year-old Vivian Endemann seven minutes from time to surely put this tie beyond any doubt.
Roma late show takes down Servette
Scorers: Minami 38′ Viens 84′, 90+3; Korhonen 55′
Roma beat Swiss side Servette by a 3-1 scoreline in the early UWCL kick off.
The Giallorosse took the lead seven minutes before half-time, when Japanese defender Moeka Minami scored from a corner delivered by Benedetta Gliona.
The visitors then drew level 10 minutes into the second half, when Cassandra Korhonen found the net with a delightful lob over goalkeeper Camelia Caesar.
As it looked like the game was heading for a stalemate, Evelyne Viens skilfully turned inside the box and rolled her shot home low into the net.
In stoppage time, Roma sealed the victory as Viens netted her brace with a header from a corner.
