Manchester United faces a tough challenge to advance to the Women’s Champions League semifinals following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in the first leg of their last-eight tie.
United fought back twice to level the score but ultimately fell short after an 84th-minute goal from Momoko Tanikawa sealed the win for Bayern.
A penalty from Maya Le Tissier and a header by Hanna Lundkvist erased two quick strikes from Pernille Harder, yet United couldn’t muster a third equalizer following Tanikawa’s impressive finish.
Manchester United Edge Bayern Munich 3-2 in Women’s UCL
First Half: Rocky Start and Equalizer
United’s night began disastrously as former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder latched onto a long ball from Arianna Caruso, outpaced Le Tissier, and poked the ball past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Defensive nerves showed when Franziska Kett’s shot was blocked and a loose backpass from Millie Turner nearly caught Tullis-Joyce out.
Gradually settling, United saw Jess Park’s effort blocked and Julia Zigiotti sky the rebound. The equalizer arrived when Lea Schüller earned a penalty after Glodis Viggosdottir handled her cutback in the box. Le Tissier calmly converted from the spot.
United ramped up the pressure with Melvine Malard testing keeper Ena Mahmutovic, while Schüller fired wide. Bayern threatened again via Bernadette Kakounan.
Second Half: Late Drama Decides the Tie
The second period started slowly but exploded on 71 minutes as Harder perfectly timed her run onto a Tanikawa pass, slotting low past Tullis-Joyce.
United responded instantly, with Lundkvist heading firmly past Mahmutovic from a set piece to restore parity.
However, the lead didn’t hold. Substitute Tanikawa curled a superb shot into the net after a layoff from Kett, handing Bayern a slim advantage heading into the second leg.
Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa returned for United after her Asian Cup success, but teammate Tanikawa stole the spotlight.
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