Man Utd victorious on Women’s Champions League debut after Le Tissier steps up

Captain Maya Le Tissier’s goal was enough for Manchester United to defeat Norwegian side Valerenga in their opening match of the Women’s Champions League league phase.

The Reds overcame PSV Eindhoven, Hammarby and fellow Norwegian side Brann Kvinner in qualifying rounds, as they reached the tournament proper for the first time. United had previously failed to reach the group stage in 2023.

Marc Skinner’s team have made a strong start to the WSL , only dropping points in draws with Arsenal and Chelsea. They looked to continue that run in Europe against the champions of Norway.

United started brightly, with their first shot at goal coming from Elisabeth Terland less than 30 seconds into the match. The visitors soon settled though, adopting a defensive shape that made life hard for the hosts.

Valerenga’s goalkeeper, Tove Enblom, was first forced into action in the 20th minute. Hinata Miyazawa drove forward from midfield and fired a long-range effort into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Just a minute later, the referee waved away appeals for a United penalty after Melvine Malard went down in the area.

The game was not entirely one-sided and the visitors created their best chance of the match in the 23rd minute. Canadian international Phallon Tullis-Joyce produced a smart stop to keep out Olag Tvedten.

The hosts responded well to the early warning. In the 24th minute, Mallard stole the ball from a Valerenga defender inside the penalty area but could not find a way past Enblom. The goalkeeper parried it out but only as far as Terland. However the striker’s attempt was cleared off the line by a covering defender.

Mallard was at the centre of everything positive in an attacking sense for United in the first half. The French international beat defenders at will, threaded through some lovely passes and had a couple of attempts at goal.

In the 29th minute, the Reds did see a penalty awarded. Mallard again involved finding Julia Zigiotti on the edge of the box. She tried to flick the ball through for Terland but was prevented by the arm of Arna Eiriksdottir. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation and it was Maya Le Tissier that stepped up. United’s captain confidently dispatched the spot kick in the bottom corner.

After the break the hosts again started quickly, with Jess Park played through on goal in under a minute. However the midfielder’s shot was turned around the post by Enblom, who had a busy evening in the Valerenga goal.

United had a flurry of chances around the hour mark but failed to find the finish that would put further distance between themselves and the visitors.

The Reds were near flawless defensively as they secured their eighth clean sheet of the season. Le Tissier marshalled the backline with authority and Phallon Tulles-Joyce reacted well on the only occasion that she was called into action.

The Norwegians were limited to just a single shot at goal before the 84th minute. Substitute Elise Thorsnes charged at goal shortly after coming on and it seemed United would be made to pay for their missed chances. However she dragged her effort just wide of the post, much to the relief of Skinner and his side.

Ultimately that proved to be Valerenga’s second and final opportunity to score. United saw out the final minutes, recording their maiden win in the Women’s Champions League.

It was not the most exhilarating display from Skinner’s side but it was a professional one and they got the job done.