Bristol beat Barcelona 1-0 in the Women's Champions League

Bristol Academy are in sight of a first Women's Champions League quarter-final place after beating Barcelona 1-0 in the first leg of their clash at Camp Nou Mini Estadi on Saturday night.

Bristol had to withstand waves of attacks from the home side as Barcelona enjoyed most of the early possession but on 26 minutes Marta Corredera turned a Natasha Harding cross into her own net to gift the visitor's the lead. 

Barcelona pushed hard to level the score and went close when Sonia Bermúdez was unlucky to see her shot hit the woodwork.

Barcelona continued to press after the interval with substitute Ana María Romero shooting wide and Jennifer Hermoso missing the target from distance following a swift counter attack.

Ruth García went close with a header from a corner but Bristol held on to inflict the first defeat for Barcelona at home in 55 games.

Dave Edmondson's side will now take a single goal advantage into Thursday's return leg at Ashton Gate.

Bristol manager Edmondson was pleased with his team's efforts saying: “To come to Barcelona and get a 1-0 win is fantastic and a testament to the work rate and discipline of the players. 

"It is very much half-time in the tie and we are well aware that Barcelona will come to Ashton Gate on Thursday expecting to overturn the result but we have shown we are a pretty resilient bunch and are ready for the challenge.”

Captain Jemma Rose added: “Tonight’s match was a great defensive performance from the girls, we showed a lot of character tonight to keep a clean sheet against a technically strong Barcelona side.

“We take our away goal into the home leg now, and we need our supporters to turn out in numbers and pack the gate on Thursday night.”