England defender Naomi Layzell enjoyed a dream debut in the Women’s Champions League, scoring her first senior goal and assisting another as Manchester City stunned defending champions Barcelona 2-0 at Joie Stadium. Layzell, 20, opened the scoring by scrambling in a corner, and later set up Khadija Shaw for City’s second goal, sending the Jamaican striker through one-on-one with goalkeeper Catalina Coll.
Despite early pressure from Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Layzell grew into the game and made a lasting impact. The match was a thrilling contest, with City’s Lauren Hemp and Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen both hitting the woodwork in a fast-paced first half. City defender Laia Aleixandri also cleared an Ewa Pajor effort off the line, preserving City’s lead.
Barcelona dominated possession in the second half, testing City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita with attempts from Aitana Bonmati and former City midfielder Keira Walsh. However, City’s resilience held firm, and Shaw’s clinical finish from Layzell’s pass sealed a famous victory. The 5,508 fans in attendance, a record at Joie Stadium, witnessed Barcelona’s first failure to score in just their second match out of 80, the other being last season’s semi-final loss to Chelsea.
Layzell’s unforgettable evening was slightly marred by a late ankle injury, but her performance helped propel City back into the European spotlight for the first time since 2021, leaving them level on points with Hammarby in Group D.
