Pernille Harder broke her Champions League scoring drought, leading Bayern Munich to a 5-2 comeback win against Arsenal.
Jonas Eidevall’s team entered Bavaria following a disappointing goalless draw against Everton in the WSL, but they took the lead first with Mariona Caldentey finding the net in the 30th minute.
Before halftime, Bayern equalized with Glodis Viggosdottir’s looping header in the 43rd minute, and they took the lead with a powerful shot from Sydney Lohmann just 11 minutes after the break.
Katie McCabe recorded her second assist of the match when Laia Codina converted her corner kick in the 65th minute, but Harder then seized control of the match in spectacular fashion.
The former Chelsea striker, who had not scored during her previous six Champions League appearances for Bayern, restored the hosts’ lead by heading in from Carolin Simon’s corner in the 73rd minute.
This was the first of three goals scored by Harder in a punishing 13-minute period as the Arsenal defense faltered late in the match, intensifying the pressure on Eidevall.
Harder stated to Uefa.com
I’m quite pleased with our performance, particularly in the second half. I believe we did exceptionally well today.
“The past few years have posed challenges due to injuries, so I’m thrilled to be back competing in the Champions League. I was satisfied with both the goals and the victory.”
Challenges Increasing for Eidevall
Last year, Arsenal was eliminated in qualifying by Paris FC, but after successfully navigating matches against Rangers, Rosenborg, and a two-legged contest with Hacken, the Women’s Super League side could not secure any points in their Group C opener.
This matchup was only the third between the two clubs, following their first meeting during the 2022/23 Champions League season. Bayern secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg, but Arsenal avenged that defeat in the return leg to progress to the semi-finals.
Having been held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Everton on Sunday, Leah Williamson and Stina Blackstenius returned to the starting lineup. The Gunners needed to rekindle their fighting spirit on Wednesday after struggling to find their top form this season.
It was Bayern’s England international, Georgia Stanway, who came closest to scoring early in the match with a long-range shot that was easily saved by Manuela Zinsberger, while the visitors should have taken the lead.
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Bayern Munich celebrate a significant victory over Arsenal
In the 14th minute, McCabe’s excellent left-footed free-kick reached Codina, but her weak shot was easily handled by Maria Luisa Grohs.
The visitors persisted in their search for the opening goal, which they finally secured on the half-hour mark.
Once again, McCabe played a crucial role as her cross from the left was volleyed into the bottom corner by Caldentey.
This ignited Bayern’s response, and after Zinsberger had thwarted Giulia Gwinn, the hosts equalized just two minutes before halftime, courtesy of a brilliant cross from Stanway that was headed in by captain Glodis Viggosdottir.
Following the break, Bayern maintained the pressure and took the lead when Klara Buhl assisted Sydney Lohmann, who blasted the ball into the near post in the 56th minute.
Arsenal quickly responded when Codina nodded in McCabe’s corner nine minutes later, but Eidevall decided to replace McCabe shortly after, leading to a collapse from the away team in the final 20 minutes.
Harder had gone six Champions League games without scoring for Bayern last season, but she broke that streak in the 73rd minute, heading the ball home from a corner taken by Carolin Simon.
