Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich at Meadow Park. The Gunners needed a win in order to secure the top spot in the group. The group winner has a slightly less difficult match in the UWCL quarter-finals. Straus and Slegers were both ready to give it their all one last time in 2024. After the match the players have some much needed time off. Read our match report on Arsenal vs Bayern Munich.
Arsenal’s Kim Little and Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway (right) battle for the ball during the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group C match at Meadow Park, Borehamwood. Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-8351" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0015.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
Bayern captain scores own goal
The match starts out with early chances for both sides. Bayern Munich works their way into the Arsenal box within a minute of play. Van Domselaar saved the effort at the near post, but the ball landed awkwardly in the box. Arsenal was eventually able to clear it. Minutes later Arsenal open the score from a set piece: their first corner finds the back of the net. Cooney-Cross her delivery is good, but it lands on the back of the head of Viggósdóttir.
After the early goal the match leveled out. Both teams in control at times, Arsenal with slightly more possession. Sloppy mistakes in the Bayern defense give Alessio Russo the change to go for goal from just outside the box. Her effort went wide.
Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway (left) and Arsenal’s Alessia Russo battle for the ball during the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group C match at Meadow Park, Borehamwood. Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?fit=300%2C202&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?fit=1024%2C691&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?resize=1024%2C691&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-8356" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?resize=1024%2C691&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?resize=300%2C202&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?resize=768%2C518&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?resize=1536%2C1037&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?resize=2048%2C1382&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?resize=1200%2C810&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0016.jpg?w=3000&quality=89&ssl=1 3000w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
Important saves from Van Domselaar
Bayern Munich turned up the pressure after the half hour mark. They kept Arsenal on their own half for quite a while and tested Van Domselaar’s goal multiple times with corners and crosses. The Gunners fought their way back to some control, but the Bayern pressure was tough to get away from.
Van Domselaar kept her team ahead when Pernille Harder got her foot to the ball in front of Williamson in the 6-yard box. Bayern earned themselves a corner and scored the equalizer. Stanway headed it towards goal and Eriksson gave it the last push it needed with a volley.
Another own goal?
Zadrazil was extremely lucky when she nearly scored the 2-1 for Arsenal from Foord’s delivery. That would have been the second own goal. The Gunners did get a corner, Russo headed it towards goal and this time Zadrazil cleared it away from goal.
Two minutes were added on to the first half. The teams are level going into the break. Slegers and Straus both wanted that win. The number one would face Manchester City, Real Madrid or VfL Wolfsburg in the next round. The team that ends up second has the possibility of facing Chelsea, Lyon or Barcelona.
Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius goes around the goalkeeper but fails to score during the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group C match at Meadow Park, Borehamwood. Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-8360" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0021.jpg?w=3000&quality=89&ssl=1 3000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
At the start of the second half neither teams have been able to create many goal scoring opportunities. You can see both sides are tired in the last game of the year. However, Bayern Munich is one of the best clubs in Europe and they punish The Gunners for every mistake they make.
When the visitors score the 2-1 it’s clear that Arsenal’s defence is scrambled. Eriksson and Stanyway are unmarked in the box when a cross is sent in. It’s Eriksson that manages to tip it behind Van Domselaar.
Russo is in explicable form
Arsenal immediately got ready to find the net after earning a corner. Katie McCabe got behind it. Her delivery went over Mahumutovic, who tried to push it away. It landed behind the goalkeeper. Perfect for Russo to fire it in the back of the net.
Just after Russo scored the 2-2, Slegers decided it was time for a change. Blackstenius and Little came off for Mead and Maanum. This changed the formation slightly as Russo moved to the top to lead the line.
With 20 more minutes to go; Straus takes Dallmann off and Lohmann takes her place. At this point it was a different game. Both teams gave everything they had to secure a win. Bayern would still take the top position if it ended in a draw. Arsenal had the fans behind them at Meadow Park, singing and making a lot of noise.
Arsenal’s Katie McCabe (left) and Bayern Munich’s Giulia Gwinn battle for the ball during the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group C match at Meadow Park, Borehamwood. Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?fit=300%2C196&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?fit=1024%2C668&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?resize=1024%2C668&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-8366" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?resize=1024%2C668&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?resize=300%2C196&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?resize=768%2C501&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?resize=1536%2C1002&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?resize=2048%2C1336&quality=89&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?resize=1200%2C783&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICONSPORT\_247512\_0028.jpg?w=3000&quality=89&ssl=1 3000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
The last ten minutes: Penalty for Arsenal
Lina Hurtig came on for Caitlin Foord. Hurtig took the role of super sub a couple times this season. The Gunners took the lead after Mariona Caldentey earned her team a penalty. The Cooney-Cross corner was cleared by Bayern Munich but picked up by Caldentey at the edge of the box. Her effort deflected against the arms of a Bayern player. The referee stood right on top of it and called the penalty. Caldentey missed the penalty against Liverpool but got behind it again with confidence. The Spanish international sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and put the ball in the other corner.
Lotte Wubben-Moy and Kafaji came on in the last minutes. Cooney-Cross and Russo made way. With five minutes added on everything was still possible. Arsenal defended their goal well and McCabe got a yellow card for obstruction of play. The home team did secure their 3-2 win. That means Slegers and her team take the top position in the group. Will this be enough for Renée Slegers to get the permanent head coach role? Or will the club still explore other options.