FC Bayern Women won the new World Sevens Football tournament in Portugal, beating Manchester United 2-1 in the final after a 5-0 victory over Paris Saint-German in the semis. The Munich Frauen had already dominated the first two days of the competition, which was played as seven-a-side over two 15-minute halves, by topping their group with wins over Manchester City (3-1), Ajaz (4-2) and Rosengard (4-0). PSG finished in third place by beating City 3-1 in the play-off.
Bayern went into their semi-final full of confidence after storming to first place in their group. Their opponents, PSG, had finished second in the other section after extra-time and sudden-death penalties against United. The Germans were then far too good for the French, claiming a comprehensive 5-0 win.
The Bundesliga and DFB Cup holders then took on the red side of Manchester after they’d beaten local rivals City 2-0 in the other semi. The final got off to a fast-paced start with Bayern having the better chances. Carolin Simon almost broke the deadlock with a free-kick that struck the left post, but United made no mistake at the other end as Simi Awujo finished from the edge of the area.
Tanikawa impresses again
Bayern looked to level things after the restart and finally did so following a number of chances in the 22nd minute when Pernille Harder’s cross caused mayhem in the United box, only for Momoko Tanikawa to finish from a tight angle on the left. Mala Grohs kept things all square before her side completed the turnaround as Simon pinged the ball into the box, where Sarah Zadrazil controlled it, turned and finished to wrap up a 2-1 win.
It meant Bayern became the inaugural winners of the World Sevens Football tournament. Ena Mahmutovic won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper, while Tanikawa received two awards with the Golden Ball and MVP.
The conclusion of the tournament in Portugal finally brings down the curtain on the 2024/25 season for Bayern, who return to Munich on Saturday. Many of the players will then go on to join their national teams for UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures and preparation for the summer’s Euros in Switzerland.
Bayern signed Vanessa Gilles just before the tournament:
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