Khadija Shaw double helps Manchester City set up Real Madrid WCL rematch

Manchester City set up a Women’s Champions League rematch against Real Madrid this Sunday after they dispatched Tomiris-Turan 6-0 in their first qualifier.

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw struck twice in the first half, with Lauren Hemp adding a third just before the break. City’s Kazakh opponents kept the scoreline down until the 82nd minute before Vicky Losada, Deyna Castellanos and Keira Walsh added late goals.

Real Madrid, the hosts of this qualifying mini-group, beat Austrian side Sturm Graz by the same scoreline, with Esther González scoring four of Real’s goals. The two sides will meet at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano on Sunday in a one-off tie, with the winners progressing to the final playoff round.

It offers a chance for Gareth Taylor’s side to gain revenge after Real Madrid eliminated them from qualifying in last season’s tournament. The Spanish side progressed to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by arch-rivals Barcelona over two legs.

It took only four minutes for Manchester City to take the lead in Thursday’s group semi-final, with Shaw heading home from Hemp’s cross. The Jamaica international’s second goal was also set up by one of City’s Lionesses – Chloe Kelly, scorer of England’s Wembley winner, turned provider as Shaw headed her cross into the net.

City’s front three were a constant threat in Madrid, with Hemp getting on the scoresheet in the 46th minute after neat build-up play from Shaw and Kelly. In the second half, Hemp thought she had scored a second from Kelly’s cross but the winger was ruled offside.

Taylor rang the changes midway through the second half, with Hayley Raso, Vicky Losada and Deyna Castellanos forming a new attacking trident. Tomiris-Turan keeper Aitaj Sharifova produced fine saves