Shaw’s brace helps City secure CL spot

MANCHESTER, London (CMC):

Jamaican international Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw scored twice as Manchester City advanced to the group stages of the Champions League (CL) with a dominant 3-0 win over Paris FC here at the Joie Stadium Thursday.

Shaw, who missed the first leg because of visa issues, found the back of the net in the 31st and 65th minutes, to ensure Manchester City triumphed 8-0 on aggregate.

The result marked a welcome return to European football for City, and means they are among the last 16 for the first time since 2020-2021.

City made a lightning-fast start when Chloe Kelly tapped home in the second minute after goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, under pressure from Shaw, played the ball straight to the feet of the England forward.

The pair linked up again for City’s second, with Kelly collecting the ball from Laura Blindkilde Brown before fizzing it across the face of goal for Shaw to turn in easily.

Shaw then doubled her goal tally in the 65th minute when she converted from the penalty spot after being bundled over in the box.

City have been drawn in Group D and will compete with Barcelona, St Polten and Hammarby for a spot in the quarter-finals.