Evening Standard
·18 October 2023
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·18 October 2023
Ella Toone and Katie reflect on a frustrating night in Paris
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Manchester United failed to reach the Women's Champions League group stage after a 3-1 defeat in the second leg of their qualifier at PSG.
A 47th-minute equaliser from Lisa Naalsund gave the Women's Super League side hope but Lieke Martens' second of the game and another from Sandy Baltimore saw the French team prevail 4-2 on aggregate.
Leah Galton had a goal disallowed controversially and Ella Toone hit the woodwork as United battled to the end but PSG held on, as the English side fell short in their bid to appear in the group stage of the competition for the first time.
Chelsea will be the only WSL club involved when the group stage begins, after Arsenal were knocked out by Paris FC in qualifying earlier this season.
The hosts started strongly at the Parc des Prince and looked like taking the lead after 10 minutes when Tabitha Chawinga, goalscorer in the first leg, rounded Mary Earps but shot tamely and Maya Le Tissier cleared.
The opener came eight minutes later. This time Earps did well to deny Chawinga but could do little as Martens pounced on the rebound and curled past the United keeper.
United tried to reply quickly with Geyse teeing up Naalsund in the box, but the Norwegian could not take the chance and the visitors had a let-off when Martens headed over.
Yet it was to prove a short-lived response as PSG quickly went up the other end and regained the lead. Martens again did the damage, grabbing her second from close range following more good work by Chawinga.
United searched for a second equaliser but Katarzyna Kiedrzynek saved from Hannah Blundell and Geyse.
PSG took a firm grip on the tie just before the hour as winger Baltimore outran Blundell and chipped Earps from a tight angle.
Still United fought on and Katie Zelem drew another save from Kiedrzynek from a free-kick.