Bayern vs Arsenal LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and final score as Pernille Harder scores hattrick
Arsenal kick off their Champions League group stage with a tough encounter in Germany
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Arsenal commenced their Women’s Champions League campaign with a trip to Germany in Group C, but the formidable Bayern Munich proved far too strong as they ran out 5-2 winners - despite the Gunners initially taking the lead. Jonas Eidevall’s side reached this stage of the tournament having come through qualifying: they faced Hacken in a two-legged tie and progressed 4-1 on aggregate though they lost the first leg 1-0 away from home.
And they’re going to need those powers of recovery again in the group stage, as Mariona Caldentey’s first-half opener proved nothing but a false dawn in the end. Glodis Perla Viggosdottir levelled matters just before half-time, with Sydney Lohmann then burying a low near-post strike to put Bayern ahead. It looked as though that might be that, but Laia Codina equalised for Arsenal against the run of play with a fine header - only for Pernille Harder to then run riot, scoring a hat-trick in 15 minutes to give Bayern a big victory and leave Arsenal needing a reaction next time out.
Follow all the action from the Women’s Champions League with our live blog below:
8’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona
Two big openings for Man City - Barcelona having to stand firm now! Shaw is in and just needs a good first touch to get a shot away, but hesitates and is crowded out. Then Park lines up an absolute howitzer from outside the box and it’s a really good block from Leon to clear the danger.
Positive start for City though, certainly not happy to sit back and cling on from the outset.
4’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona
Graham Hansen looks to get on the end of a big chance in the opening stages - she wants a corner but it’s not forthcoming.
Man City get their early warning.
Fowler tries to set Shaw away, but the pass is way too far in front and rolls through to Coll.
1’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona
Underway! Barcelona immediately in possession and moving the ball around - City very much straight in their faces.
Man City v Barcelona - latest updates
Right, game No.2 - City against the holders Barcelona. A reminder of the teams:
Man City XI: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Bacelona XI: Coll, Maria Leon, Graham, Alexia, Patri, Aitana, Rolfo, Pajor, Walsh, O. Battle, Engen
FT - Bayern Munich 5-2 Arsenal
Report and reaction from Arsenal’s defeat to come later on - for now we’re straight over to the next Champions League big match, with Manchester City hosting reigning champions Barcelona.
Lots of action to come, stay tuned!
FT - Bayern Munich 5-2 Arsenal
A bit of a drubbing in the end for Arsenal - they were solid in the first half but once Bayern turned up the heat after the restart, there was simply no living with them.
Even so, those three goals scored by Pernille Harder to wrap up Bayern’s victory will cause Jonas Eidevall some consternation - free and unmarked, two, five and ten yards out, to score a hat-trick in the Champions League. Not great.
Still, there are five matches ahead and Arsenal will expect a response, particularly back in the WSL next weekend following the goalless draw with Everton.
89’ - Bayern 5-2 Arsenal
Some frustrated Arsenal faces out there now as the match winds down. Bayern finally sitting off having inflicted quite enough damage.
Two minutes added on.
GOAL! 86’ - Bayern 5-2 Arsenal
What about that! Hadn’t scored a Champions League goal for Bayern half an hour ago - now Harder has three on the night!
A hat-trick for the former Chelsea star, who follows in her initial shot to prod in from just a yard or two after Zinsberger couldn’t hold the first attempt.
Having been ahead and then later level in this half, it’s ending up a real beating for Arsenal.
84’ - Bayern 4-2 Arsenal
Codina needs to be careful - already booked and now asks for a card for Schuller, who stops a free-kick being taken quickly.
Arsenal try to get matters underway quickly again but are running out of time. Stanway tries a shot from the edge of the box for Bayern but is closed out.
80’ - Bayern 4-2 Arsenal
Into the final ten minutes and it’s another double sub for Arsenal.
Cooney-Cross and Kafaji come on for Walti and Foord but it looks too late now.
Bayern, barring a very surprising final ten minutes, will be claiming three points at home. They’ve been excellent in this second half.
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