Pernille Harder scored twice as Bayern Munich secured a 3-2 first-leg advantage over Manchester United in the quarter-final of their Women’s Champions League tie.
Man Utd twice came from behind to level the game and looked to be heading towards a valiant draw, only for Momoko Tanikawa to strike a killer blow in the 84th minute and hand her side the edge ahead of next week’s return leg in Germany.
Bayern scored with three of their four shots on target, the first two a carbon copy of one another as Harder ran off the back of Maya Le Tissier to leave herself 1-v-1 with Phalon Tullis-Joyce. She dispatched both expertly.
Sandwiched between Harder’s goals was a well-taken penalty from captain Le Tissier, and after that another set-piece goal, this time from a corner, as Hanna Lundkvist headed Le Tissier’s delivery beyond Ena Mahmutovic.
Maya Le Tissier celebrates equalising from the spot for Man Utd against Bayern Munich
But the visitors, now unbeaten in 23 games, were a cut above from open play, dominating possession and passing stats with real quality, and when influential substitute Tanikawa collected a pass from Franziska Kett on the edge of the area, she drilled a fine finish into the bottom corner.
Marc Skinner will know his side must improve to stand any chance of progression, while also ensuring they dust themselves down in time for a Manchester derby at Old Trafford in three days’ time. The challenge of playing on this elite European stage for the very first time while managing domestic commitments just got real.
Barca on course for semis after thrashing rivals Real
Barcelona thrashed rivals Real Madrid 6-2 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final
Barcelona put one foot into the last four of the Women’s Champions League with a comprehensive 6-2 first-leg victory at rivals Real Madrid.
Ewa Pajor netted twice alongside further strikes from Esmee Brugts, Irene Paredes, Vicky Lopez and Alexia Putellas’ late penalty to give Barca a resounding victory at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
Linda Caicedo’s double for the hosts could not stop Madrid from falling to a heavy defeat before the two sides face off again in the quarter-final second leg in Barcelona next Thursday.
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