In a thrilling opening match of the Women’s Champions League at Meadow Park, Arsenal clinched a 1-0 win over Denmark’s HB Køge thanks to a last‑minute penalty converted by Mariona Caldentey. The Dutch coach Renee Slegers made a bold decision to overhaul her starting eleven, introducing eight fresh faces after the side’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the Women's Super League the previous weekend.
The first half saw Arsenal dominate possession but struggle to finish. Chloe Kelly found the back of the net only to see the goal disallowed after a VAR review.
The referee, Greek official Eleni Antoniu, initially pointed to the spot after Kelly’s challenge on Alberte Vingum in the 12th minute, but the decision was overturned when it emerged that Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius had been offside in the buildup. Arsenal continued to press, with Maanum forcing a save in the 25th minute. The ball rarely left the visitors’ half, and a deflected attempt from Macy Schultz rattled the crossbar, underscoring the tight nature of the contest.
Subsequent chances included a cross‑shot from Maanum that missed her teammate and a long‑range effort from Kyra Cooney‑Cross that drifted wide. The halftime break brought a substitution for Bayern, with Blackstenius replaced by Alessia Russo.
The second half began with a burst of activity, as Arsenal created a flurry of chances. Smilla Holmberg earned a free‑kick that was punched away by Vingum, while several set‑piece opportunities fell short. Holmberg later cleared a dangerous cross from Emelia Oskarsdottir and narrowly missed a header that clanged against the crossbar.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the decisive moment arrived in the third minute of added time. A foul by Yukina Sakabe on Selina Cerci inside the box prompted Antoniu to award a penalty. Caldentey stepped up and, with composure, slotted the ball into the bottom corner past Vingum, sealing all three points for Arsenal.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Slegers praised her side’s resilience and collective spirit: "I am delighted with the three points and the mentality we displayed. We have been building the belief that we can score late, crucial goals.
We dominated much of the game but struggled to find the net. The mindset we are cultivating will serve us throughout the season, and we will continue to improve our football.
Today five new players made an impact – Selina earned the penalty, Mariona converted it, and the others contributed positively. This is how we want to operate as a squad, with everyone making a difference.
I am very proud of the team." Meanwhile, Manchester City embarked on a dramatic comeback in their return to the Women’s Champions League, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The English side became the first from their country to avoid defeat to the German giants in a European fixture. Bayern opened the scoring early, with Giulia Gwinn delivering a chipped ball from a Linda Dallmann run that bypassed goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and found the far corner in the 11th minute. Klara Bühl volleyed straight at Yamashita shortly after, while Jovana Damjanović threatened again, but City remained goalless.
Just before the halftime whistle, Beth Mead capitalised on a cross from Kerstin Casparij, whose run down the right flank was briefly interrupted by a flare that landed on the pitch. Despite the disturbance, the referee allowed play to continue, and Mead headed the ball home, giving City a lifeline at 2-1. The second half saw City surge.
In the 86th minute, Carlotta Wamser, playing for City, found herself unmarked in the box and calmly finished to level the score after Khadija "Bunny" Shaw missed a penalty that could have equalised earlier. Shaw, who was due to be substituted, was taken off after the miss, but the goal from Wamser ensured the deficit never grew beyond two.
City’s fight was aided by a controversial moment involving Bayern goalkeeper Aoba Fujino. Ena Mahmutovic appeared indecisive as she rushed out to close down Fujino; she initially seemed to allow the ball to go out of play, then inexplicably stuck out a leg, bringing down the City winger.
The incident sparked debate but did not alter the scoreline. Both teams displayed attacking intent.
Lauren Hemp’s deflected cross struck the top of the crossbar, offering a brief reprieve for Bayern. Later, Harder sent a cross into the box, which Casparij mishandled, inadvertently directing the ball into her own net for City’s equaliser. Reflecting on the match, City midfielder Sam Coffey said on the club’s website: "Beth's goal changed the momentum going into the break. We were more cohesive and proactive in the second half, and that shift was crucial.
While we are disappointed not to secure the win, earning a point from such a challenging environment is something we can be proud of." She also highlighted the depth of the squad: "One of the strengths of our team is the depth we possess. We have numerous game‑changers, and anyone who comes on can make an impact. That is what the best teams in the world require, and we have it in abundance." Overall, the day offered a showcase of determination and tactical adjustments.
Arsenal’s late penalty demonstrated the importance of composure under pressure, while City’s resilience against a formidable Bayern side illustrated the growing competitiveness of English women’s clubs on the European stage. Both matches provided valuable lessons as the Champions League campaign unfolds, promising more excitement and high‑stakes football in the weeks ahead.