Manchester United Women recorded one of the biggest wins in the club’s young history on Wednesday, taking down French power Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford in European competition. The Reds now have
nine points from three matches in their UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Play campaign.
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was out of this one afte taking a knock in the loss to Aston Villa at the weekend, which meant Safia Middleton-Patel took charge between the sticks for the Reds behind a rotated XI. Anna Sandberg, Simi Awujo and Melvine Malard came into the starting lineup for this one, but the selection up front paid off early on.
Despite the heavy rotation, United took advantage of the home support and took an early lead through Melvine Malard. The French No. 9 had set up Jess Park just a few minutes earlier for a good chance at the opening goal, but wound up making it herself in the 32nd minute.
Malard ran forward onto the end of a long ball forward by Jayde Riviere, winning the battle to receive the ball, dribbling inside and firing past Mary Earps to cap a brilliant move.
Her goal sent more than 15,000 fans at Old Trafford into celebration, marking a historic occasion with the first Women’s Champions League match at the club’s sacred ground.
The visitors didn’t go away, and were rewarded for their late push in the second half by equalizing in spectacular fashion. Olga Carmona fired a laser beam from the edge of the box, giving Middleton-Patel no chance to make a save with her strike just before halftime.
It could have become United’s undoing after a poor end to the first half, but the Reds reset and put their head down again. They were rewarded with a good team goal, finished by Anna Sandberg finding Fridolina Rolfo for the second goal, pulling back in front and putting the pressure back on the visitors.
PSG was desperate to pick up a win after losing the opening two matches of the competition, but couldn’t capitalize on the possession advantage. They settled for bad shots, creating just one big chance and two efforts on target all game, and ultimately came up short against the Reds.
It doesn’t slow down for United, with a trip across town to Manchester City awaiting on Saturday and then a trip to face VfL Wolfsburg next Wednesday, but three wins from three is quite the start to European play.
