Manchester City fight back from 2-0 down to draw at Bayern

Manchester City produced a superb recovery as they fought back from 2-0 down on their return to the Women's Champions League to draw 2-2 against Bayern Munich in Germany on Tuesday 22 September.

The league stage tie at Uhlsport Park, watched by 4,291 supporters, pitted the reigning league champions of England and Germany against one another, but the hosts dominated the opening spell and were two goals up inside half an hour before City staged a second-half fightback.

Bayern build a two-goal lead in the first half

It was no surprise when Bayern took an 11th-minute lead. Linda Dallmann's through ball was collected by an unmarked Giulia Gwinn, who shot past City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

It became 2-0 in farcical circumstances 16 minutes later when defender Kerstin Casparij made a mess of an attempted clearance and, under no pressure, sliced the ball into her own net.

City had earlier come close themselves, a deflected cross from Lauren Hemp bouncing off the top of the crossbar, with Khadija Shaw heading over from the following corner.

Mead's controversial goal before half-time

City got back into the match just before half-time when Beth Mead, who won this competition with Arsenal two seasons ago, prodded home from close range after Shaw's shot deflected into her path.

There was controversy over the goal, as a blue smoke bomb had been thrown on to the pitch, with Bayern's players saying the game should have stopped before the goal was scored.

Shaw denied from the spot before Wamser levels

City, who had last played in the Champions League in 2024-25, were handed a glorious chance to equalise when home goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic tripped Aoba Fujino to give away a penalty.

Mahmutovic made amends with a superb save to keep out Shaw's powerfully struck spot-kick.

There was late drama in store, however, as City's Germany international Carlotta Wamser made it 2-2 in the 86th minute with her first goal for the club, whipping a low shot past Mahmutovic from Liva Blindkilde Brown's assist.

Bayern had two late chances to take the three points, but Spanish substitute Edna Imade failed to hit the target on both occasions.

Wasteful Bayern left wondering how City fought back

A comfortable victory had looked to be coming Bayern's way after a dominant opening 40 minutes.

As well as the goals that came their way, the hosts missed numerous opportunities, with Klara Buhl firing wide and former Chelsea attacker Pernille Harder also wasting an early attempt. After Gwinn's opener, Buhl had an effort saved by Yamashita and Jovana Damnjanovic shot over when well placed.

Bayern's Japanese midfielder Momoko Tanikawa could not convert two opportunities to make it 3-0, and from then on City were the better side. Mead gave the visitors hope and even Shaw's missed penalty did not dampen spirits, with Wamser securing a hard-earned point.

Bayern reached the semi-finals of last season's Champions League and were playing a first competitive match at the Sportpark Unterhaching stadium, which is designated to be their long-term home.

Hemp was named player of the match with an average rating of 7.50, ahead of Harder on 6.70 and Dallmann on 6.68.

League phase format and what comes next

Just like last year, the league phase of the Women's Champions League features 18 teams in one division, with each side playing six different opponents, three at home and three away.

Bayern play next in Portugal against Benfica on 30 September, while Manchester City have home advantage against Real Madrid on 1 October.

SportsLigue