UEFA Women’s Champions League
Wednesday, 06 September, 2023
Intility Arena, Oslo

Celtic…1

(Clark 68)

Brondby…0

Celtic FC Women created history after winning their first UEFA Women’s Champions League match, by defeating Brondby 1-0 in Oslo.

A second-half strike from Kelly Clark saw the Hoops advance to the final of their mini-group in Round One of the prestigious European competition.

Of the two teams, Brondby started the brighter and looked to cause havoc for the Celtic defence from set pieces.

Ahead of the game, Fran Alonso and his squad were well aware of the Danish side’s physicality and for the most part were doing well to deal with that in the opening 45.

However, Brondby did come close. An in-swinging corner to the near post came off a Celtic head and created a scramble inside the area. But, the Hoops did well to eventually clear.

Kelsey Daugherty was also forced into an early save after the Brondby forward was played in on the right-hand side. The American did brilliantly to get down and stop the shot.

As the first half wore on, the Ghirls started to come into the match and created a number of good opportunities.

The likes of Jenny Smith, Colette Cavanagh and Shen Menglu were making positive runs from midfielde before aiming to deliver crosses, which were well dealt with by Brondby.

Just before the half-hour mark, the Hoops forced the German shot-stopper into an impressive save. Some brilliant build up play between Kit Loferski and Amy Gallacher saw the ball fall to Jenny Smith on the edge, who tired her luck from range. But it was well saved.

Shortly after, Celtic’s best chance of the half fell the way of Cavanagh, after a superb pass from Paula Partido found the midfielder in behind the backline.

After scoring two goals in her last two appearances, Cavanagh approached goal looking to add to her tally but the Brondby goalkeeper did well to close the angle.

It was a positive overall showing from the Celts in the opening half of the game, and that continued into the second 45 minutes.

Early on in the half, Cavanagh had two shots from range as both teams looked for the opening goal of the game. However, they were comfortably held.

The Danish side were still looking to show their attacking prowess and one of their best chances came on the counter attack.

Catching the Celts out, the Brondby forward advanced towards before striking at goal, but it went well over the crossbar.

Just as Brondby had done in the first half, the Hoops were causing trouble from set plays into the box, and the opening goal of the game would come from that avenue.

A corner to the back post was headed back across goal to Chloe Craig, before falling into the path of Kelly Clark. The captain made no mistake with her finish, smashing the ball home from close range

Minutes after opening the scoring the Ghirls came close to a second. With Brondby now a goal down, the Danish side started to push a few more bodies forward.

This provided Kit Loferski with space in behind, and Caitlin Hayes was able to find the American with a smart ball over the top.

Advancing on goal, the forward’s effort looked to be heading for the net but the goalkeeper's finger-tip save forced it over the bar.

The Danish side did have a big opportunity to level with around 20 minutes left to play as a thunderous strike looked to be heading for the back of the net.

However, after her goal scoring heroics, Clark was on hand to head the ball off the line and keep the score at 1-0.

The Celts also continued to have a number of efforts on goal. Pressing high up and winning the ball back, both Natalie Ross and Shen Mengyu tried their luck, but it was once more comfortable for the goalkeeper.

In the closing stages, the Danish side pushed to find a leveller, sending the goalkeeper up for a corner in added time.

But the scoreline remained 1-0 and that result sees Celtic advance to the final of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Round One group, where they will face either Valerenga or Minsk.

CELTIC: Daugherty, Craig, Gallacher (Addi 84), Smith (Ross 58), Shen, Cavanagh (McAneny 84), Clark, Hayes, Partido (Barclais 58), Loferski (Burchill 90), Menglu.

Subs: Logan, Ferns, Agnew, Goldie, Timlin.

Kelly Clark nets winner in historic first UEFA Women’s Champions League win