World News – AU – Fran Kirby makes history as City Edge behind Gothenburg in Chelsea win

Fran Kirby scored twice against Benfica and became Chelsea’s all-time top scorer with a 5-0 away win as Manchester City recovered from falling behind to beat Gothenburg in the last 32 of the Women’s Champions League.

On the eve of the competition, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said the English striker was « in the shape of her life » and « setting new standards for herself every day. « . « Portugal showed that two goals from Kirby – their first home game in the first minute after Danish striker Pernille Harder cut the ball back for the England international from the left – ensured Chelsea’s return to the competition after missing them. « from the last term ended in victory.

« I love this competition and have worked hard with my staff and the club to build a team that hopefully can keep moving forward, » said Hayes. « I’m not going to make excuses, we really have to put pressure on if we want to get into the last half regardless of the Lyon result today. « . ”

Three assists from Guro Riding, who joined Chelsea in May 2019, the first after a free kick for defender Millie Bright at the back post, the second after Kirby and a corner for Harder, kept them firmly in control Break.

South Korean playmaker Ji So Yun had time to support Beth England, Chelsea’s fifth, before Hayes made way.

Reigning champions Lyon came from behind twice when Juventus faced the French champions’ first defeat in the Champions League since 2017. In the end, Lyon ended up with three away goals for France after a 3-3 draw, but the Italian champions, who have not yet won a Champions League game, have shown that Lyon are not infallible.

A first Champions League goal for US World Champion Sam Mewis brought Manchester City an important away win against Gothenburg in the round of 16.

Manager Gareth Taylor received a difficult introduction to European football when Norwegian striker Vilde Boe Risa gave the Swedish side the lead in the second minute. The city was dominant, but it was not until the end of the first half that Taylor’s side came with a croaking hit from England striker Georgia Stanway, 50. for the club, equalized from the edge of the area flown in by the post.

With 65% possession, City stayed patient and eventually they found the winner. Mewis came back through the gate and came off Caroline Weir’s cut flank.

« We’re going to dress it up, it should probably have been a better result for what we finished, » said Taylor. “But after the start we thought the girls would show resilience, we controlled the game and only gave them limited opportunities. ”

Elsewhere, the Scottish champions and last season’s surprising semi-finalist, Glasgow City, scored an important away goal in a 2-1 defeat by Sparta Prague, and last season’s runner-up, Wolfsburg, beat ZFK Spartak five times.

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