FCB Women come from behind to beat Champions League holders Arsenal

What an incredible match at the Allianz Arena! FC Bayern Women fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 against holders Arsenal WFC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Under the watchful eyes of president Herbert Hainer, sporting director Christoph Freund and men’s team coach Vincent Kompany, the Munich girls trailed early to Emily Fox’s fifth-minute goal, before Mariona Caldentey scored a second for the Gunners 18 minutes later. Bayern then pulled off a stunning comeback in the second half, turning the game around thanks to goals from substitutes Alara (67’) and Pernille Harder (80’) plus captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir (86’). 

Behind at the break

The visitors from North London made the better start and took the lead after just five minutes. Maria Luisa Grohs spilled a powerful shot from Beth Mead and Fox reacted quickest to head in the early opener. Arsenal continued to dictate proceedings after that and it wasn’t until the 20th minute that Bayern had their first sight of goal. Klara Bühl advanced down the left said and squared the ball to Lea Schüller. The FCB number 11 went for the first-time finish but Gunners goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was equal to it. At the other end, the English side capitalised on a mistake in Bayern’s build-up play, with Caldentey curling the ball into the net from the half-space. The home side grew into the game after that but the final ball was lacking.

Bayern turn it around

FCB started the second period better and fashioned the first chances. Arsenal then regained more control but couldn’t convert their opportunities. Bayern did, however: Momoko Tanikawa released Bühl and she picked out the run of Şehitler, who slotted past the Arsenal custodian to reduce the deficit. The Bavarians were then rewarded with the equaliser through Harder in the 80th minute. Bühl was again the provider for the Dane to drive home the equaliser. And better was still to come. Six minutes later, Viggósdóttir sparked wild celebrations inside the Allianz Arena with the winning goal to make it 3-2.

Cup round of 16 on Sunday

Coach José Barcala’s side are back in action on Sunday 16 November (14:00 CET) in the DFB Cup, where they travel to FC Ingolstadt in the round of 16. That’s followed by another big test in the Champions League away to Paris Saint-Germain on 20 November (21:00 CET).