Two goals down inside 22 minutes? Bayern Munich Women were staring at a brutal Champions League loss tonight against Real Madrid, but they clawed their way back for a wild 2-2 draw at Sportpark Unterhaching. It was an absolute thriller, keeping Bayern unbeaten in their first three UEFA Women’s Champions League league-phase matches. Honestly, after that start, how they pulled it back is just insane.
Real Stunned Them Early
Seriously, Bayern looked vulnerable right out of the gate. Real Madrid just punished their slow start, hitting them hard and fast. Real needed just seven minutes to take the lead when Linda Caicedo got to the byline, cut the ball back, and captain Athenea del Castillo finished it off. Bayern had some early possession, sure, but it wasn’t translating into anything meaningful. Klara Bühl and Franziska Kett were trying to make things happen from the left, but their crosses just weren’t finding anyone.
Then, before you could even catch your breath, Real struck again. In the 22nd minute, former Bayern midfielder Arianna Caruso dropped a free-kick into the box. María Méndez sent it back across goal, and who else but former Bayern forward Lineth Beerensteyn rose up to head it home. Talk about adding insult to injury! Bayern was suddenly down 2-0 against their old teammate, with a super steep climb ahead of them before halftime.
No Quit In Bayern
But you know what? Bayern didn’t quit. They needed a response, and Edna Imade delivered. In the 31st minute, Bühl’s corner kick found Imade, who absolutely powered a header into the net over the defense. That goal gave Bayern a crucial foothold, and you could feel their attacking play getting way more purposeful after that. Pernille Harder sent a chance over the bar from a Linda Dallmann delivery, and both Bühl and Dallmann kept threatening before the break. They were creating opportunities, but still, they went into halftime chasing the game.
The second half was a whole new vibe. Bayern wasted no time, leveling the score just seven minutes after the restart. Linda Dallmann tested Real goalkeeper Merle Frohms, who made the initial save. But Momoko Tanikawa was right there, collected the rebound, made some space for herself, and curled a beautiful left-footed shot right into the top corner! You love to see it!
At 2-2, the momentum had totally swung. Bayern wasn’t just trying to avoid a loss anymore; they were pushing for the winner. Tanikawa was central to that push, not just with the equalizer but also with her composure on the ball. She linked up with Harder to set up Imade, who went through on goal, but Frohms made another big save. Harder also had an effort kept out as Real just tried to hold on. Bayern kept finding ways into dangerous areas, logging 13 shots from inside the penalty area, creating three big chances, and forcing Real to defend for what felt like forever. They dominated, sure, but that finishing touch for the winner just wasn’t there tonight.
Even though they couldn’t find the winner after that crazy comeback, staying unbeaten in three league-phase matches is HUGE. And expanding their unbeaten home record in group and league phases to 17 games? That’s just wild. Still, you gotta wonder, given all their dominance in the second half, if this feels like a point gained, but maybe two dropped too. What a game. We’ll be watching closely to see how they build on this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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