Glasgow City 0-2 Brondby IF
Aggregate: 2-2. After Extra Time, Glasgow City win 3-1 on penalties.
by Ben Gilby
Glasgow City gained a famous victory over a side who reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League as recently as 2014/15, but they had to do it the hard way.
Goalkeeper Lee Alexander was in inspired form, saving four penalties in the shoot-out and making a number of stunning stops throughout the night as the thirteen in a row Scottish champions made it through to the last eight for the second time in their history.
City came into the tie after a sensational 2-0 first leg success in Denmark thanks to a Sam Kerr strike and an own goal from Brondby keeper Katrine Abel. However, the Danes showed determination from the off to gain revenge.
Brondby started strongly, and after just four minutes, they forced a great save from Lee Alexander from Nicoline Sorensen. Only a minute later, the visitors were back in the tie thanks to Nanna Christiansen who directed a magnificent header across Alexander and into the far corner.
Glasgow City showed immediate signs of a reply through Megan Foley’s run down the left which took her past several would-be tackles before she was finally halted.
The Danes gradually took control in the second quarter of the half, and almost levelled the tie on aggregate when Frederikke Lindhardt’s teasing cross was narrowly missed by Josefine Hasbo. A further chance followed after twenty-three minutes when Christiansen’s cross was headed back towards her by Lindardt and the resulting thumping volley was saved magnificently by Alexander. The Glasgow City keeper was called into action just three minutes later when she snaffled Julie Tavlo Petersen’s header.
Glasgow City were struggling to get out of their own half and only offered sporadic threats. Clare Shine hooked an effort over the bar, but as the half entered its final ten minutes the Danes finally got the second goal that their dominance deserved. Lindhardt combined with Louise Winter Kristiansen and Nanna Christiansen in a magnificent build up before firing into the far corner. Brondby had one further opportunity before the break when Caroline Pleidrup’s cross was saved by Alexander.
Glasgow City boss Scott Booth took the opportunity at half-time to tighten up his defence and a fired up side came out to enjoy a greater percentage of possession in the second half. Within four minutes of the restart, Kirsty Howat created a great opportunity and found Hayley Lauder whose shot was fired just over the bar. Clare Shine fashioned another opportunity shortly afterwards but her effort found the side netting.
The game was now tight with far fewer opportunities, but both sides had golden opportunities to seal a place in the quarter-final in the final five minutes. Nicoline Sorensen was clean through, but Lee Alexander dived to save the day once more despite it appearing at that it would be far easier to score than miss. Then, Megan Foley’s strike looked to cannon off of Emilie Henriksen’s arm as she jumped. The referee didn’t see anything untoward, and the final opportunity of normal time passed.
With the tie level at 2-2 on aggregate, the drama moved into extra-time. Chances were now fewer and further between as both teams looked to stay solid. A Glasgow City free kick just before the halfway mark of the extra half hour saw Jenna Clark’s header come off of the underside of the bar. Sam Kerr’s attempted follow up was smuggled away by the Danes. Then, in the final minute of extra-time, Glasgow City were awarded a free kick, but Leanne Ross’ effort went wide.
So, to penalties, and once more it was the Scottish international keeper Lee Alexander who produced a succession of sensational saves to earn her club a stunning win.
Leanne Ross stepped up for the first penalty for City, which she fired home. Nanna Christiansen, who was excellent throughout levelled matters at 1-1. Kirsty Howat’s effort was saved, but in a matter of minutes her sorrow turned to joy as Alexander saved Julie Tavlo-Petersen’s effort brilliantly to the right. Substitute Eilish McSorley stepped up to put City 2-1 up. Freja Abilda’s effort was next to be saved by the outstanding Alexander as she stretched to the right to keep the shot out. A slight bout of nervousness returned to the Petershill Park faithful when Megan Foley’s penalty effort was saved to the right by Katrine Abel. But cometh the hour, cometh the hero once more as Lee Alexander threw herself to the left to push away Louise Winter Kristiansen’s penalty. Up stepped Jo Love to gleefully hit the winning penalty home.
It is an incredible achievement for a part-time team to make the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Glasgow City have a history of punching above their weight and achieving great things. Last night was arguably one of their greatest achievements. However, with Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Lyon, Paris St. Germain and VfL Wolfsburg the other sides in the last eight, there could be an even more famous night in the offing for Glasgow City when the Quarter-Finals come round in March.
Teams: GLASGOW CITY: 29) Lee Alexander, 2) Rachel McLauchlan, 4) Hayley Lauder, 6) Jo Love, 9) Kirsty Howat, 10) Clare Shine, 11) Nicola Docherty, 12) Jenna Clark, 16) Leanne Ross, 18) Sam Kerr, 23) Megan Foley. Substitutes: 25) Erin Clachers (GK), 14) Hayley Sinclair, 15) Nicola Reid, 19) Joanne Paton, 20) Carly Girasoli, 21) Jordan McLintock, 24) Eilish McSorley.
BRONDBY IF: 1) Katrine Abel, 4) Linnea Svensson, 6) Josefine Hasbo, 8) Emilie Henriksen, 9) Nanna Christiansen, 10) Louise Winter Kristiansen, 13) Kamila Karlsen, 15) Frederikke Lindhardt, 16) Nicoline Sorensen, 17) Julie Tavlo-Petersen, 24) Caroline Pleidrup.
Goals: Christiansen 5, Lindhardt 36.
Penalty Shoot-Out:
GLASGOW CITY:
Leanne Ross (scored), Kirsty Howat (saved), Eilish McSorley (scored), Megan Foley (saved), Jo Love (scored).
BRONDBY IF:
Nanna Christiansen (scored), Julie Tavlo-Petersen (saved), Freja Abilda (saved), Louise Winter Kristiansen (saved).
impetusfootball.org 