The UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase opened on Tuesday with a dramatic English double-header: Manchester City rescued a point from 2-0 down at Bayern Munich, and Arsenal needed a stoppage-time penalty to beat HB Køge.
Bayern Munich 2–2 Manchester City
City’s return to the competition after a season away began the hard way in Unterhaching. Giulia Gwinn finished coolly in the 11th minute after Linda Dallmann released her, and Kerstin Casparij diverted a Pernille Harder cross into her own net for 2-0.
Beth Mead pulled one back on the stroke of half-time amid controversy: play continued while a smoke flare burned on the pitch as Casparij crossed and Mead converted the rebound after Khadija “Bunny” Shaw’s shot was blocked. VAR allowed the goal to stand.
Shaw later missed a second-half penalty saved by Ena Mahmutovic, but substitute-era momentum paid off in the 86th minute when Carlotta Wamser, unmarked on the edge of the box, rifled in her first City goal on her return to Germany. City became the first English side to avoid defeat at Bayern in Europe, Sky Sports noted.
Head coach Andre Jeglertz praised the mentality after a slow first half: “The mentality of winning and the belief is there.” City face Real Madrid next in Manchester.
Arsenal 1–0 HB Køge
At Meadow Park, Arsenal laboured against the Danish A-Liga leaders. Chloe Kelly’s early volley was ruled out by VAR for an offside involving Stina Blackstenius, and Renée Slegers’ side — with eight changes after Saturday’s draw with Manchester United — failed to convert sustained pressure.
Relief arrived in the 93rd minute when Yukina Sakabe fouled Selina Cerci and Mariona Caldentey converted the penalty. “It was a mentality and resilience win today,” Slegers said. “The football didn’t give us the win … but we get the goal as a squad.”
Køge coach Kristian Mørch praised his side’s defensive stand despite the late concession.
Elsewhere (brief)
Real Madrid Women led after 96 seconds through Felicia Schröder but were pegged back by Sakina Karchaoui’s penalty as PSG forced a 1–1 draw. Benfica beat Juventus 2–1 and Inter defeated BK Häcken 1–0 on the same matchday.
Sources
- The Guardian — Wamser rescues point for Manchester City at Bayern
- The Guardian — Caldentey penalty provides late WCL relief for Arsenal vs Køge
- Sky Sports — Man City rescue draw at Bayern despite Shaw penalty miss