Barcelona cruise past Manchester City to secure top spot in Group D

Manchester City surrendered top spot in their Champions League group as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona in their final round-robin match.

Missing a host of key players through injury, the Women’s Super League side were outplayed by the holders at the Luis Companys Olympic Stadium, losing to goals from Claudia Pina, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.

City had already secured their spot in the quarter-finals, but their first defeat in the competition meant they had to settle for second place in Group D behind Barca.

City were without the likes of Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Vivianne Miedema, and manager Gareth Taylor was forced to field the same patched-up team that lost to Everton at the weekend.

Having beaten the Catalan outfit 2-0 in the reverse fixture, City knew avoiding defeat by two goals or more would ensure a top seeding but Barca sensed an opportunity to overhaul them.

They tore into the visitors from the outset and City goalkeeper Khiara Keating was given a busy night. Twice she was called into action in the opening minutes to keep out a Salma Paralluelo drive and Ewa Pajor header.

Bonmati then shot at the keeper from distance and Esmee Brugts sent an effort narrowly over before also testing Keating with a curling shot.

Jill Roord almost stunned Barca when she struck the crossbar against the run of play, but the hosts were soon back in control.

Pajor went close again before Keating was finally beaten on the stroke of half-time as Pina found the bottom corner.

The procession continued after the break as Pajor forced another save from Keating and former City midfielder Keira Walsh fired wide from distance.

Bonmati doubled the lead just before the hour when she slotted home after being played in behind the defence.

The midfielder almost added another when she rattled the bar moments later, but the third was not long in coming as substitute Putellas beat Keating from the edge of the area.

Lily Murphy drew a save from Catalina Coll as City chased a late consolation, but Barca finished the game on top with Putellas going close again and Francisca Nazareth forcing Keating into one last save.