Man City 1-1 Real Madrid: Bunny Shaw equaliser after Linda Caicedo opener as Women's Champions League game drawn amid late drama
Bunny Shaw struck in the second half to earn Man City a second draw from two games in this season's Women's Champions League; Linda Caicedo had opened scoring for Real Madrid who dramatically had a late goal disallowed when the referee blocked City's Beth Mead
Thursday 1 October 2026 23:10, UK
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."
