Bayern Munich is coming to the start of the league phase UEFA Women’s Champions League After taking the lead against Manchester City, it didn’t go beyond a draw. There were wins for Inter, Arsenal and Benfica.
We summarize what happened on Tuesday.
Bayern Munich – Manchester City 2:2
Carlotta Wamser’s late goal secured Manchester City a point after they were already 2-0 down at Bayern. The hosts showed a very strong performance in the first half. Giulia Gwinn scored the opening goal in the eleventh minute with a well-considered finish, before Kerstin Casparij put the ball into her own goal after a cross from the right side to score the second goal for the Munich team.
City responded before half-time when Beth Mead slotted the ball home from close range, but missed a great chance to equalize after Ena Mahmutovic brilliantly parried Khadija Shaw’s penalty. However, Wamser had the last word, scoring with a beautiful right-footed shot on her return to her native Germany.
Player of the game: Giulia Gwinn (Bayern)
Inter – Hecken 1:0
Inter got off to a successful start in their league debut, beating last season’s UEFA Women’s Europa Cup winners. Haley Bugeja, the first Maltese player to appear in a UEFA Champions League group/league stage match (men’s or women’s), gave the Italians the lead in the fifth minute with a low shot following an assist from Sheila García Gómez.
Inter continued to push in the second half, but Elisa Bartoli and Lina Magull both failed to hit the post. The guests only played with ten men in the final phase after goalkeeper Jennifer Falk was sent off shortly before the end for a foul on substitute Brittany Raphino.
Player of the match: Ivana Andrés Sanz (Inter)
Arsenal – HB Køge Women 1:0
Mariona Caldentey’s stoppage-time penalty gave Arsenal victory against stubborn visitors from Denmark. The Gunners dominated the game throughout the game and had good chances in the first half through Kyra Cooney-Cross and Frida Maanum, but were unable to get past goalkeeper Alberte Vingum.
Smilla Holmberg’s corner hit the crossbar and Leah Williamson shot over from close range in the second half before substitute Selina Cerci was brought down in the area and Caldentey had no trouble converting the penalty from the spot.
Player of the match: Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal)
Real Madrid – Paris Saint-Germain 1:1
Sakina Karchaoui’s second-half penalty secured Paris Saint-Germain a point at last season’s quarter-finalists in an entertaining game. Felicia Schröder, who moved to Madrid this summer after her goals helped guide Häcken to the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup title, scored after just two minutes when she tapped in Arianna Caruso’s cross.
The hosts were repeatedly dangerous on the counterattack, but despite the chances they were unable to score another goal. And PSG became stronger after the break, defended resolutely and had more possession before the French women got the point they deserved with 16 minutes left with a converted penalty from Karchaoui after a foul on Léa Morissaint.
Player of the match: Felicia Schröder (Real Madrid)
Juventus – Benfica 1:2
Marit Bratberg Lund’s brace ensured the visitors from Portugal got off to a winning start after missing out on a place in the top 12 last season. The Norwegian international confidently converted a penalty in the 40th minute after a foul on Anna Csiki, before Bratberg Lund extended the lead with a remarkable free kick after the break.
Alba Redondo, who initially hit the post for Juventus, ensured an exciting end with a precise finish in the final phase, but the Italians were unable to score another goal.
Player of the match: Marit Bratberg Lund (Benfica)
