For 45 minutes, Arsenal were everything their manager René Slegers could have asked for: composed, clinical, and commanding. But football has a way of flipping the script. Bayern Munich, seemingly out of the contest at half-time, roared back with three second-half goals to snatch an unforgettable 3–2 win in front of a roaring home crowd. Read our full match report on Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League here.
Match Highlights
Emily Fox opened the scoring in the 5th minute.
Caldentey doubled the lead in the first half.
Bayern Munich fought back to 2-2 thanks to Alara and Harder, two top substitutes.
Captain Viggósdóttir sealed the win scoring the 3-2.
MUNICH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Emily Fox of Arsenal celebrates scoring her teams first goal with teammates during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 league phase match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at the Allianz Arena on November 12, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Jasmin Walter – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?fit=300%2C207&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?fit=1024%2C707&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C707&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-17279" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C707&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?resize=300%2C207&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?resize=768%2C530&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C1061&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?resize=1200%2C829&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-3.jpg?w=1600&quality=89&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
MUNICH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Emily Fox of Arsenal celebrates scoring her teams first goal with teammates during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 league phase match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC. (Photo by Jasmin Walter – UEFA via Getty Images)
Excellent Start by Arsenal
Arsenal looked in complete control for much of the night in Munich, but a remarkable second-half comeback from Bayern turned the tide, handing the hosts a dramatic 3–2 victory in the Women’s Champions League.
The Gunners flew out of the blocks with intensity and precision, setting the tone early through their aggressive press. Their pressure paid off just five minutes in, when Emily Fox capitalized on a rare error from Bayern goalkeeper Maria Grohs. Closing her down high up the pitch, Fox forced Grohs into a misplaced touch and reacted quickest to head the loose ball into the back of the net, giving Arsenal a dream start.
Renée Slegers’ side continued to dominate, pinning Bayern inside their own half with relentless pressing and sharp combinations in midfield. In the 22nd minute, Beth Mead picked out Stina Blackstenius in front of goal, only for the Swede’s effort to thunder off the crossbar. Arsenal didn’t have to wait long for a second, however. Moments later, Mead again won the ball back in midfield and combined with Blackstenius, who laid it off for Mariona Caldentey. The Spanish international cut inside onto her right foot and curled a superb strike into the top corner to make it 2–0.
Bayern struggled to find rhythm, with Arsenal’s defensive pairing of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Fox standing firm at the back, while the front line worked tirelessly to recover possession. The Gunners went into the break two goals up, fully deserving of their lead and control.
MUNICH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Stine Ballisager Pedersen of Bayern Munich is challenged by Stina Blackstenius of Arsenal during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 league phase match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at the Allianz Arena on November 12, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Jasmin Walter – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-17282" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FC-Bayern-M\_nchen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD3-4.jpg?w=1600&quality=89&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
MUNICH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Stine Ballisager Pedersen of Bayern Munich is challenged by Stina Blackstenius of Arsenal during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 league phase (Photo by Jasmin Walter – UEFA via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich Fight Back
The second half began with more intent from Bayern, who looked brighter and sharper after the restart. Yet, Arsenal quickly reasserted themselves, testing Grohs again through Alessia Russo’s efforts from distance. Sensing the need for change, Bayern made attacking substitutions, introducing Caruso and 18-year-old Alara to inject fresh energy into midfield.
Those changes proved decisive. In the 62nd minute, Arsenal were punished for a sloppy giveaway just outside their own half. Klara Bühl burst through the Gunners’ defence and squared for Alara, who coolly finished past Daphne van Domselaar to make it 2–1 and give Bayern a lifeline.
Buoyed by the goal, Bayern grew in confidence, dominating possession as Arsenal began to retreat. The equalizer arrived in the 80th minute through a familiar name: Pernille Harder. The Danish forward, who scored three times against Arsenal last season, struck again with a superb left-footed volley over Van Domselaar after brilliant work from Bühl down the left flank.
With momentum firmly on their side, Bayern completed the turnaround just minutes later. From a corner, Caruso recovered a loose ball and found Bühl, whose cross was met by captain Glódís Viggósdóttir at the near post for the winner.
It was a stunning reversal of fortunes, Bayern, two goals down at half-time, roaring back to seal a 3–2 victory. Arsenal were left to rue a complacent second half after such a commanding opening period, while Bayern’s resilience and substitutions made all the difference in a thrilling European night.