10-goal deficit overturned as Man City snatch late draw at Bayern in Women's Champions League

Manchester City rescued a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich in their Women’s Champions League group-stage opener on Tuesday, overturning a two-goal deficit to become the first English club to avoid defeat against the Germans in European competition.

Bayern had dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Giulia Gwinn’s chipped finish in the 11th minute opening the scoring after Linda Dallmann drove unchallenged from the halfway line. The hosts were 2-0 up inside the first half-hour and created further chances through Klara Buhl and Pernille Harder before a fortunate City goal on the stroke of half-time changed the complexion of the tie.

Kerstin Casparij’s run down the right set up the move, and Beth Mead eventually tapped in — though Bayern protested that a smoke canister thrown onto the pitch had obscured play. Referee officials allowed the goal to stand on the basis that Casparij had crossed before reaching the smoke cloud.

City’s equaliser arrived in similarly controversial circumstances. Substitute Aoba Fujino was brought down in the penalty area by goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic, who appeared to change her mind mid-challenge. Khadija Shaw, who had been due to come off, stepped up to take the spot-kick but could not convert and was immediately substituted.

The miss proved inconsequential. Germany international Carlotta Wamser, left completely unmarked inside the penalty area, swept home her first goal for the club in the 86th minute to complete the comeback and secure a point City’s second-half performance arguably merited.

City had been second best for much of the first half, with Buhl volleying straight at goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and Jovana Damjanovic blazing over after Bayern repeatedly cut through their midfield. Lauren Hemp briefly threatened when a deflected cross ran along the top of the crossbar, but City’s real improvement came after the interval, when they pressed higher and created the chances that ultimately earned their draw.