Bayern Munich Edge Manchester United in Women's Champions League Thriller
In a pulsating Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg, Bayern Munich secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Pernille Harder's brace and a late winner from Momoko Tanikawa proving decisive. The match, played on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, saw over 7,000 fans witness a dramatic encounter that leaves Bayern with a slight advantage heading into the second leg in Germany.
Early Setback and United's Response
The home side suffered an early blow when Pernille Harder opened the scoring for Bayern Munich just two minutes into the game, capitalising on a defensive lapse. However, Manchester United showed resilience, levelling the score in the 23rd minute through Maya Le Tissier, who converted a penalty after a handball by Bayern's Viggosdottir. This equaliser came following a promising attacking move initiated by Jess Park, highlighting United's ability to bounce back under pressure.
Harder Strikes Again and United's Fightback
Bayern Munich regained the lead in the 71st minute, with Harder scoring her second goal of the night after a superb assist from substitute Momoko Tanikawa. The Denmark international demonstrated clinical finishing, slotting the ball past United goalkeeper Tullis-Joyce when one-on-one. Undeterred, Manchester United fought back once more, equalising in the 76th minute through Hanna Lundkvist, who powered in a header from a Le Tissier corner, setting up a tense finale.
Tanikawa's Classy Winner Seals Victory
The decisive moment came in the 84th minute, as Momoko Tanikawa showcased her quality with a stunning finish. After starting the move with an astute pass, the Japan international received the ball in the box and sidefooted a low shot into the bottom corner, securing a 3-2 win for Bayern. This goal capped off an impressive impact from the bench, with Tanikawa also providing the assist for Harder's second goal earlier in the half.
Post-Match Reactions and Looking Ahead
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner expressed mixed emotions after the match, acknowledging defensive errors but remaining optimistic about the tie. "The goals we conceded were pretty poor, but that's something really easily fixed," he said, emphasising that the 3-2 scoreline keeps the contest alive. Meanwhile, Maya Le Tissier reflected on her performance, stating, "Good things and bad... I think I was involved too much. Glad to help the team but I should stick to my main part, defending." The result sets up an intriguing second leg in Munich, where United will need to overturn the deficit to advance to the semi-finals.
