What happened…
The Academy Stadium witnessed history once again as Man City Women booked their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Lucy Bronze’s first-half header handed the Blues a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fortuna Hjorring, claiming a 2-0 triumph on aggregate.
The result of another dominant and professional display sets up a mouth-watering last four clash with current European champions Lyon, following their 2-1 aggregate triumph over Wolfsburg.
There was further cause to celebrate as once again, City broke an attendance record, with 2,152 turning out to watch the quarter-final second leg encounter: the most to have done so for a Champions League game in Manchester.
Just as they did in Denmark, the Blues started brightly, creating two promising chances inside the first quarter of an hour.
Some fine build-up play resulted in Jane Ross playing through to Jill Scott but the England international was thwarted by Maria Christiansen in the Fortuna goal.
Carli Lloyd then went in search of her second European goal with an excellent dribbling run into the area. The shot that followed crept inches wide.
Kosovare Asllani then headed off-target before Melissa Lawley curled a long-range attempt goalward, which swerved just wide.
Karen Bardsley was then called into action at the other end, making an important stop to deny Camilla Kur Larsen from close range.
Caroline Rask then had two opportunities to level the aggregate score, first firing at Steph Houghton and then blasting the rebound past the post.
Lloyd then saw another effort suffer the same fate, before Houghton unleashed a free-kick into the grateful arms of Christansen.
City’s pressure paid off five minutes before the break when Bronze planted a looping header over the Fortuna goalkeeper from Lawley’s corner.
It was Bronze’s third goal in of City’s maiden Champions League campaign, with the right-back having netted in both legs against Zvezda Perm.
Although the visitors were in desperate need of a goal to light a glimmer of hope, they did little to trouble Bardsley. Nora Heroum came closest with an attempt from distance which the City ‘keeper saw over the bar.
Lloyd almost doubled the advantage on the night but was denied by Christiansen as the game entered its last five minutes.
Two goals over two games would prove enough though for the Blues – and continue their 100% record in 2017.
What it means…
City face Lyon in the semi-finals at home on 22/23 April (first leg) and 29/30 April (second leg).
Barcelona face PSG in the other last four tie.
The final will be played on 1 June at the Cardiff City Stadium.
How they lined up…
Cushing opted to field the same starting XI that lined up in Denmark.
Bardsley took her place between the sticks, shielded by a defensive back line of Demi Stokes, Abbie McManus, Houghton and Bronze.
Keira Walsh was employed in defensive midfield, just behind Lloyd and Scott, while Lawley and Asllani operated the wings. Ross led the line upfront.
