Bunny Shaw and a dramatic last-gasp decision from the referee ensured Manchester City took a point off Real Madrid with a 1-1 draw in the Women’s Champions League.

Standout Linda Caicedo had given Real the lead in the first half but City improved after the interval and Shaw levelled with an equally expert finish across the goalkeeper to put the league-phase clash in the balance.

Shaw headed over and Yui Hasegawa volleyed wide for the hosts before Ayaka Yamashita had to pull off an excellent stop to deny Irune Dorado as both sides pushed for a winner.

Silvia Cristobal thought she had clinched it in the 89th minute for Real Madrid with a wonderful finish into the top corner – but referee Silvia Gasperotti had whistled to stop play after inadvertently blocking Beth Mead from reaching the ball.

Real Madrid’s players and coaching staff were furious and appealed for the goal to stand but ultimately this closely fought contest ended in a draw – the same result City achieved in their opening game away to Bayern Munich last week.

They will now turn their attention to this weekend’s Women’s Super League clash with Arsenal, live on Sky Sports, while Real prepare to face Barcelona.

Sunday 4th October 4:15pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Jeglertz: A lot of noise but players are very calm

Man City boss Andree Jeglertz:

“Of course there is a lot of noise outside but the players are very calm. There are no discussions, no thoughts from us [about the Premier League investigation].

“I haven’t seen or noticed anything which would take any percentage out of the players’ performance.”

Real Madrid protest disallowed goal

As it happened…

10: OFF THE BAR! Alex Greenwood clips an excellent free-kick from out wide into the Real Madrid six-yard box where Mary Fowler meets it – but sends her header against the bar!

21: BIG SAVE! Ayaka Yamashita rushes out to close down Felicia Schroder as she spins and shoots close to goal.

29: GOAL! Linda Caicedo runs around the outside of Laura Blindkilde Brown down the right and then is allowed too much space in the box by Greenwood before clipping her shot inside the far post.

40: CHANCE! Shaw shows good hold-up play in the box before laying off for Yui Hasegawa to shoot – and Maelle Lakrar bravely heads the powerfully hit effort away.

51: GOAL! Bunny Shaw hauls City level with a sharp finish across the keeper after Hasegawa does really well to turn the ball over in midfield.

62: OVER! It looks like a great chance for Shaw to add a second from Lauren Hemp’s cross – but her header sends the ball over the bar.

75: OFF TARGET! A Greenwood corner comes out to Hasegawa just inside the area… but for the second time in the game she sends a volley wastefully wide!

77: SAVE! Another excellent stop from Yamashita, who gets a hand to Irune Dorado’s shot.

89: BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET…BUT NO GOAL! Real Madrid are fuming! Silvia Cristobal picked out the top corner and thought she had scored, but the whistle had already gone because referee Silvia Gasperotti had inadvertently blocked Mead, preventing her from getting to the ball.

Shaw pleased with second-half improvement from City

Man City’s Bunny Shaw to Disney+:

“We started the second half much better than how we started the first half and that’s something we’re going to look on as a team.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t win the game but definitely [showed] fight at the end and that’s good as well.”

Analysis: City stay focused for hard-fought draw

Sky Sports News’ Ben Ransom at City Football Academy:

“A hard-fought draw for City in their first home game back in this competition. There were a lot of distractions for everyone connected to the club in the build-up but it didn’t show in their performance.

“An excellent strike from either side with moments of quality and it gives both teams something to build on from here.

“Big games await for both this weekend – City hosting Arsenal at the Etihad while Real Madrid go to Barcelona.”

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…

MANCHESTER CITY

Barrister Paul Gilroy KC has explained how Manchester City players could be entitled to rip up their contracts following the guilty verdict that has been given – Daily Mirror

Manchester City’s rivals could join forces in a class action as clubs queue up to sue after the independent commission’s guilty verdict – Daily Mirror

Manchester City’s commercial growth slowed significantly after the Premier League began its investigation in 2018 – The Times

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Cristiano Ronaldo could be facing a ban of up to six months from the Portugal national team after sensationally storming out of the team’s training camp amid a row with manager Jorge Jesus – Daily Mail

TRANSFERS

Real Madrid are keen on signing former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen – Bild

Bournemouth sources say they will only entertain negotiations for Alex Scott after they have established themselves in the Premier League once again this season – adding they do not intend on selling their star midfielder in January – Daily Mail

Manchester United’s wantaway wonderkid JJ Gabriel has been training privately in Barcelona despite the Spanish champions insisting they are not pursuing him – Daily Mail

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Jurgen Klopp has reacted with disgust to a social media debate questioning whether the Germany team he is in the process of forming are “white enough” – The Guardian

England’s away match against Croatia on Saturday is set to be played in a stadium that is about three-quarters full – even though the match is supposed to take place behind closed doors as a punishment for racism – The Times

EFL

Birmingham have expressed an interest in hiring former Manchester United transfer chief John Murtough as director of football – Daily Mail

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

The US is poised to host the first Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028, becoming the latest in a series of major FIFA tournaments staged in North America – The Guardian

TENNIS

All combined WTA 1000 tournaments will award women equal prize ⁠money to the men from 2027 – The Guardian

Veteran James Wade admits playing the World Grand Prix is “awful” and “hellish” despite reaching the quarter-finals on Thursday.

The 43-year-old, who last lifted a major trophy at the UK Open in 2021, continued his bid for a third World Grand Prix after producing a superb display to defeat Stephen Bunting 3-1 in the unique double-start format in Leicester.

Wade averaged 93.20 and fired in 15 140s, defying a 96 average from Bunting to book his place in the last eight.

“I just felt like it was timing at the right place and the right time. It wasn’t the right place for Stephen,” Wade, nicknamed ‘The Machine ‘, told Sky Sports’ Polly James.

“I was better than average, I think. I am just grateful to win. It’s so hard to win a double start.

“We can all play it cool and pretend to be relaxed and enjoying the game. But it’s awful, it’s hellish.

“It’s not very nice. It’s graft and just really hard work. We’re not all cool, we are working very hard.”

Wade, who took in a local art gallery in Leicester as part of his preparations, was asked whether he is currently playing some of the best darts of his career.

“Nowhere near really,” he replied. “But I am having to play better against better players. I’ve got loads more gears to go.

“But talk is cheap and I am full of cheap talk.”

Speaking at his press conference, Wade said: “I get nervous, I make myself feel ill, I don’t want to get involved in it.

“I just want it to be over and done with quick.

“So am I well equipped or do I just deal with the c***** end of the stick better than others? It’s so nerve-wracking; it’s awful.”

‘The best scorer I’ve ever seen’

Wade also hailed Gary Anderson as one of the greatest ever, despite ‘The Flying Scotsman’ exiting the tournament following a landmark 3-1 win for Dutchman Niels Zonneveld.

On Anderson’s legacy in the sport, Wade said: “I’ve played against every dart player in the world and he is the best scorer in the world when he’s at his very best.

“I think those days are gone now. I don’t think we’re going to see that scoring from Gary Anderson ever again, but when he was on he was the best scorer I’ve ever seen.

“I’m not put on a pedestal like that and it is what it is. I’m just happy to still be about and still whooping the youngsters, so that’s good.”

Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the World Grand Prix (September 28-October 4), Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.