Bayern Munich struck thrice late to notch an emphatic 3-0 win on the road against SL Benfica in UEFA Women’s Champions League action on Wednesday — the club’s first victory of this year’s UWCL campaign.
Despite a significant control advantage over the course of the first half, Bayern was held to a 0-0 scoreline entering the break by the hosts, who defended stubbornly and even had a few serious scoring threats of their own — notably in the 33rd minute, when Bayern defender Giulia Gwinn’s clearance
struck a Benfica player and rebounded to striker Frøya Dorsin with a free run on goal. Dorsin’s shot was well saved by Ena Mahmutovic, who would be called into action on three occasions on the night.
The home side started the second half hot, immediately forcing another save from Mahmutovic, this time on Andreia Norton. While the Bavarians fought to wrest back control in a match defined by combative jostles for the ball from both teams, they showed little edge in attack until the final quarter-hour of the match.
That was when Klara Bühl, taking matters into her own hands, drove at goal and hit a sumptuous strike from just outside the box in the 74th minute. Her shot beat keeper Lena Pauels — four saves on the night, all from inside the box — thumping off the inside of one post and nestling into the opposite corner.
Bayern, and Bühl, instantly roared to life. With spaces opening, Bühl — who had been held in check for most of the game up to her goal — went on the prowl, looking to supply Pernille Harder twice in quick succession to double the advantage. The goal finally came in the 80th minute, with Harder creating her own opportunity by driving forward and slipping in substitute attacking midfielder Alara Şehitler on the overlap and then hovering centrally to bury the chance when it came her way following the cross.
Then left-back Franziska Kett initiated a clinical attack in the 88th minute, starting with a turnover on an errant back-pass before driving down the field and combining with Bühl for the punctuating goal.
Bayern finished with 63% possession and 22 shots to Benfica’s six. It was far from a one-sided affair for most of the match despite the numbers, but Bayern’s late flurry lifted the German champions to an ultimately convincing result in Lisbon.
The Bavarians are back in action on Saturday in the Bundesliga, on the road at Eintracht Frankfurt. The next UWCL match will see Bayern host Real Madrid on October 28th.
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