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Manchester City crash out of Women's Champions League

Atletico Madrid's Toni Duggan and Manchester City's Demi Stokes battle for the ball
Atletico Madrid's Toni Duggan and Manchester City's Demi Stokes battle for the ball

Manchester City saw their Women's Champions League hopes ended by a 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid.

The first leg had finished in a 1-1 draw, leaving City needing an away goal at the Wanda Sports Centre to stand any chance of progression to the quarter-finals.

England forward Ellen White, making her first start since a knee problem in pre-season, dragged an early chance wide following a corner, with teenager Lauren Hemp then sending an effort off target.

Spanish champions Atletico - who also knocked City out of Europe last season - went close with a header from Ludmila Da Silva before a free-kick from midfielder Virginia Torrecilla was wide.

The hosts eventually broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time when City captain Steph Houghton diverted an effort from Brazilian Da Silva into the net.

City made a strong start to the second half, with a last-ditch challenge preventing White from getting a shot away when in a good position.

The England forward was denied again on the hour by a smart save from Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal, before she was replaced by Janine Beckie.

Atletico, though, soon regrouped, with defender Carmen Menayo putting the ball wide from a corner.

Charlyn Corral saw her shot blocked by goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck before captain Angela Sosa added a second Atletico goal in the 68th minute, knocking the ball in after the City stopper had made a fine initial save.

Beckie saw a shot come back off the woodwork before, with two minutes left, City grabbed a late consolation when substitute Pauline Bremer swept in from six yards.

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