UEFA Women’s Champions League: Bayern find their spark after Benfica hold firm | OneFootball

Benfica kept Bayern waiting for almost an hour and a half. Finally, in the space of 14 minutes, the German side turned a stubborn UEFA Women’s Champions League contest into a 3-0 victory.

The result gave Bayern their first win of this season’s UWCL league phase after they opened with a 2-2 draw against Manchester City. Benfica were looking to build on their impressive 2-1 away win over Juventus on Matchday 1 but unfortunately, couldn't put one past the German giants.

At the Estádio da Luz, neither side could find a way through early.

Bayern had more of the attacking pressure but Benfica were organized and willing to make the game uncomfortable. Frøya Dorsin came closest for the hosts in the first half, forcing a strong save from Ena Mahmutovic in the 31st minute.

Bayern had chances of their own. Pernille Harder headed over from Franziska Kett’s cross before seeing another effort that was later saved by Lena Pauels.

The longer the half went on, the more Benfica looked capable of frustrating their visitors.

It remained 0-0 at the break.

Benfica immediately threatened after the restart. Andreia Norton tested Mahmutovic just after coming on, while Catarina Amado headed wide as the hosts looked to make the most of their brighter start to the second half.

Bayern gradually began to take control again.

Harder remained at the centre of their attack, but Pauels continued to stand between the visitors and the opening goal. With the match still goalless heading into the final quarter-hour, Bayern needed something different.

They found it through Klara Bühl.

In the 74th minute, Bühl collected from Momoko Tanikawa before cutting loose from outside the box. Her low right-footed strike found the bottom corner, finally breaking Benfica's resistance.

The goal changed the feel of the match.

Benfica now had to chase the game, leaving Bayern more room to attack. Harder made the most of it six minutes later, finishing to put Bayern two goals ahead and making it her 50th UWCL goal. Harder now stands as one of four players in UWCL history to reach the milestone.

The visitors were not finished.

With Benfica stretched, Bühl turned provider in the 88th minute, sending Franziska Kett through on a fast break. The full-back made no mistake from inside the box, finishing into the bottom-right corner to complete the 3-0 win.

For long stretches, Benfica had made Bayern work for every opening. But the German side's patience eventually paid off.

After a difficult opening match against Manchester City, Bayern leave Lisbon with three points and a clean sheet while Benfica are left to reflect on a match that stayed within their reach until the final 20 minutes.

The German side will next face Real Madrid at home on October 28, while Benfica travel to Arsenal on the same day.