Bayern Munich Women Overcome Manchester United to Reach Champions League Semi-Finals

FC Bayern Munich's women's team defeated Manchester United 2-1 on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena, advancing to the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate score. The match turned on two late goals — Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir equalized in the 81st minute and Linda Dallmann sealed the win in the 84th — after Bayern had trailed since Melvine Malard opened the scoring for Manchester United in the 11th minute. A club-record crowd of watched the comeback unfold, with honorary president Uli Hoeneß, sporting director Max Eberl, and men's coach Vincent Kompany among those in attendance. The result sends Bayern into the semi-finals for the third time in the club's history and the first time in five years.

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FC Bayern München's women's team reached the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in the club's history with this result. Earlier in the current Champions League season, in October 2025, Bayern faced FC Barcelona in the league phase and suffered a 1-7 defeat, conceding four goals in the first 27 minutes. Manchester United were competing in their debut season in the Women's Champions League, making their run to the quarter-finals a historic campaign for the English club.

The match followed a pattern that Bianca Rech, the Director of Women's Football at FC Bayern, acknowledged with candor. Bayern were slow to start, allowing Manchester United to exploit space behind the Bavarian defense in the first half, with Jayde Riviere assisting Malard's opening goal. The second half saw a sharper Bayern take control, with goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce making several high-level saves to deny chances, including one from Pernille Harder. Viggósdóttir's equalizer came from a corner, with Bernadette Amani providing the initial flick-on. Dallmann's winner arrived when a clearance off the line fell to her and she converted to set the final score.

„We were a little anxious, reserved, gave up too much space, then the goal against us comes, only then did we wake up. That cannot happen to us in the semifinals; instead, we have to learn to be there from the first minute.” — Bianca Rech via ZEIT ONLINE

„In the first half, we played with poop in our pants.” — Linda Dallmann via N-tv

Barcelona looms as Bayern's nightmare semi-final opponent Bayern will almost certainly face FC Barcelona in the semi-finals, scheduled to begin at the end of April. Barcelona entered their quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid on Thursday with a 6-2 lead from the first leg, making their progression to the semi-finals effectively certain. The prospect carries particular weight for Bayern, who were beaten 7-1 by Barcelona at the start of the Champions League season — a result Dallmann described as "the biggest lesson" of the campaign. Offensive player Franziska Kett warned that the semi-final would demand a completely different performance from the opening minutes.

„Against Barcelona, we have to be there 100 percent from the first minute; they exploit every mistake. We definitely have a score to settle there.” — Franziska Kett via stern.de

„One is allowed to dream and one is also allowed to have the belief that we can annoy Barcelona.” — Bianca Rech via N-tv

Coach José Barcala, who replaced Norwegian predecessor Alexander Straus in the summer, expressed confidence that the 7-1 result would not be repeated. Bayern expect defenders and attackers including Klara Bühl, Jovana Damnjanovic, and Katharina Naschenweng to return from injury during the international break ahead of the semi-finals.

„This team knows no limits. The development of this team is unstoppable.” — José Barcala via Die Welt

Arsenal also through despite London derby defeat to Chelsea Arsenal also secured a semi-final berth on Wednesday, advancing despite a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the second leg of their all-London quarter-final. Arsenal had built a 3-1 lead in the first leg and the single-goal defeat left them through 4-2 on aggregate. Sjoeke Nüsken scored the only goal of the second leg for Chelsea in the 90th minute plus four minutes of added time. The remaining two semi-final spots will be decided after Barcelona versus Real Madrid and Lyon versus Wolfsburg, with Wolfsburg holding a 1-0 advantage from their first leg.

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FC Bayern München, Manchester United