Miedema Ends Chelsea’s 31-Game Streak, Man City Gain UCL Edge

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Busayo on Mar 21, 2025 0

Vivianne Miedema delivered a match-winning performance off the bench as Manchester City handed Chelsea their first defeat of the season, taking a major step towards securing a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals.

The Dutch striker’s second-half brace not only ended Chelsea’s remarkable 31-game unbeaten streak—stretching back to May 2024—but also marked a significant moment in manager Sonia Bompastor’s tenure, as she suffered her first defeat since taking charge of the Blues following her move from Lyon.

For Manchester City, the victory was a statement of intent, as interim manager Nick Cushing, who returned to the club just eight days ago following the departure of Gareth Taylor, masterminded a tactical shift that turned the game in his team’s favor.

With a packed Joie Stadium crowd behind them, City took advantage of Chelsea’s uncharacteristic struggles, securing a vital 2-0 first-leg win to put themselves in pole position ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Miedema the Game-Changer

The first half saw both teams engaged in a tense tactical battle, with neither side willing to concede space. Chelsea, who had dominated domestic football this season, struggled to break down City’s organized defensive shape.

Despite missing key forwards Khadija Shaw and Aoba Fujino due to injuries, Cushing’s side found a way to break through, largely thanks to his bold substitutions. The introduction of Vivianne Miedema at halftime provided the attacking edge City desperately needed.

The breakthrough arrived in the 60th minute when Kerolin, City’s January signing, delivered a dangerous cross that found Laia Aleixandri in the box. The Spanish defender’s header was initially pushed onto the bar by Chelsea’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, but Miedema was in the right place at the right time to fire home the rebound, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Chelsea attempted to mount a response, but their struggles in the final third continued. As frustration grew, City capitalized once again. In the 88th minute, Miedema showcased her clinical finishing ability by unleashing a powerful shot into the roof of the net, taking her all-time Women’s Champions League goal tally to an astonishing 31 goals in 35 appearances.

Chelsea Left Searching for Answers

For Chelsea, it was an uncharacteristically flat performance, and they struggled to impose themselves on the game. Their attacking talisman, Mayra Ramirez, found herself locked in a physical battle with Aleixandri and was unable to find a clear opening.

The Blues’ best chances arrived in the closing stages, with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd striking the crossbar and young midfielder Wieke Kaptein forcing a crucial save from Ayaka Yamashita in the City goal. However, their efforts fell short, and City’s defensive resilience ensured they maintained a clean sheet.

Bompastor, whose Chelsea side currently leads the Women’s Super League and is still competing on multiple fronts, now faces one of the biggest tests of her tenure. With the second leg looming, she will need to find solutions quickly to keep Chelsea’s Champions League hopes alive.

City Strike First – But the Battle Isn’t Over

This result gives Manchester City immediate redemption following their narrow 2-1 League Cup final loss to Chelsea just days earlier. More importantly, it puts them in control of the tie heading into the return fixture at Stamford Bridge on March 27 (20:00 GMT).

Before the second leg, however, the two sides will meet again in a crucial Women’s Super League clash on Sunday, making it a relentless trilogy of high-stakes encounters over a 12-day period. With domestic and European ambitions on the line, both teams will be eager to gain the upper hand.

While City have taken a significant step forward, Chelsea still have an opportunity to overturn the deficit at home. However, with the prospect of facing either Barcelona or Wolfsburg in the semi-finals, the path to European glory is only set to become even more challenging.