Manchester City Women will take a 1-0 lead to Denmark next week after Keira Walsh's second-half goal gave them the advantage against Brondby in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Walsh's superb long-range strike settled the contest at the Academy Stadium on Wednesday night, although the English champions needed a couple of late saves from goalkeeper Karen Bardsley to preserve their slender lead.
City, in their maiden season in Europe's elite club competition following an unbeaten league campaign, started well and had plenty of possession without really troubling Brondby, who seemed happy to try to soak up the pressure and hit their hosts on the counter attack.
It almost worked in the 12th minute but for a well-timed sliding tackle from Steph Houghton to deny the Danes a clear shooting opportunity.
Lucy Bronze looked threatening down the right-hand side and forced a good save from Katrine Abel midway through the first half, while at the other end Bardsley thwarted Nanna Christiansen.
Jane Ross had a couple of chances at the start of the second half but saw one effort blocked just in front of the line before narrowly failing to get on the end of a Bronze cross.
The goal came after 74 minutes when the ball dropped to Walsh outside the penalty area and the holding midfielder drilled home a shot, giving Abel no chance.
City lived on their nerves a little in the closing stages with Bardsley doing well to come out and smother the ball before having to tip a curling Katrine Veje shot over the crossbar.
Source: PA
