Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1 in the second leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter finals, progressing to their first semi-final in five years.
A goal by Malvine Malard early in the first half levelled the tie for Marc Skinner’s side as they fought hard to find another and take the lead for the first time over both legs, but Munich retook it with just 10 minutes left.
Then just two minute slater, a powerful strike from Linda Dallman sealed the deal for the hosts as they head into the semis winning 5-3 on aggregate to break the hearts of Marc Skinner’s side.
As it happened
A promising start for Manchester United Manchester, Captain Maya LeTissier delivered a brilliant long ball, met by Hinata Miyazawa who crossed the ball into Melvine Malard, who made Manchester United’s first shot on target, inside the opening 5 minutes of the game. The ball was eventually kicked out by Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway.
However, 11 minutes in, a crucial error from Bayern Munich’s back line and an incredible cross from Jayde Rivere, gave Malard an opportunity to score at an open goal and close the deficit to go 0-1 (3-3 agg) up in the game.
Minutes after her 4th Champions League goal of the season, Malard took on 4 defenders by herself, making a strike at goal testing the Bayern goalie forcing her to make a diving save.
Bayern Munich are desperate to claw back their lead, making several promising attempts towards goal, but The Red Devils back line are forcing them to retreat and Jose Barcala’s side are unable to keep the ball alive.
England International Jess Park makes an impressive cross that loops towards goal but the English side’s hopes of being ahead for the first time in this set of games is destroyed from a vital by goalie Ena Mahmutovic.
At the 33 mark, Bayern’s first proper attempt to get control of the game came from a cross from Stanway that was met by Penille Harder’s head but it was no challenge for Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and the ball went back to United’s possession.
A crucial VAR decision stops the hosts from being awarded a penalty.
Just over half an hour into the game United’s back line made their first crucial error, seeing Harder almost regain their lead on aggregate. The ball is blocked by Captain Le Tissier who sends the ball into Bayern’s first corner of the game.
In the final minutes of the first half a clinical set piece from a corner almost sees defender Vanessa Gilles level the game for the German side, narrowly missing the back of the net after being stopped by Tullis-Joyce.
Going into the last 45, it’s all to play for, as both teams hope to progress to the final four of the competition.
Early on into the second half the German team were desperate to get themselves back into the game with several promising attacking plays in United’s defensive third, with more players flooding those dangerous areas testing United for the first time this game.
Just 7 minutes into the second half the pressure is finally put on Tullis-Joyce who is called to save a powerful strike from Harder, the first real time Bayern have looked dangerous from open play in this game.
A back heel from last week’s game changer, Momoko Tanikawa, allows Harder to find the ball at her feet seeing another attempt on target but play is forced into a corner.
A messy attacking play from the corner sees several attempts from the German side to net the ball but it is eventually struck away.
With less than 20 minutes left of the half, both teams are desperate to gain control of the game.
75 minutes into the game, a bit of technical footwork by Linda Dallman allows Guilia Gwinn to make a cross at goal, only for Millie Turner’s unruled handball force the play to a goal kick.
A corner in the 80th minute delivered by Carolin Simon allowed Captain Glodis Viggosdottir to level the score on the night delivering a strike powerful for Tullis Joyce to stop it.
Just 2 minutes later a thunderous strike from Dallman saw the host go 2-1 up and comfortably enter the final minutes of the game.
Manchester United do not lose hope as a strike from Miyazawa who desperately tries to claw a draw on the night.
It wasn’t to be for the English team as Bayern Munich’s squad depth and experience was no match for the first time quarter finalists.