On the last matchday of the Champions League group phase, FC Bayern Munich took on Arsenal FC to win the group. Both teams had already qualified for the round of 16, but Arsenal won 3-2.
The fans in rainy London sang choral songs in typical English fan style, but in addition to a harmonious version of “Last Christmas” that was worth listening to, the game on the pitch was particularly clear. No wonder, because on the last matchday of the Champions League group phase, FC Bayern took on Arsenal to win the group. Both teams had already qualified for the round of 16, but Arsenal won 3-2 (1-1) and initially avoided big opponents like Chelsea, Lyon or Barcelona.
Early header own goal
FC Bayern initially had difficulties against the hosts’ high pressing and ball security. In the seventh minute, Glódís Viggósdóttir got the ball against the back of his head after a corner and scored an own goal to make it 1-0.
The Londoners are in good shape: since the beginning of October, interim coach Renée Slegers has led Arsenal to an impressive run of ten games without defeat, including nine wins. Bayern Munich has also been unbeaten in eleven games, but they are still not leaders in the Bundesliga because Eintracht Frankfurt has the better goal difference.
In response to the deficit, the Munich team increasingly worked their way into the game and created their own chances. Also from a corner, Magdalena Eriksson scored from close range in the 39th minute – this time into the opponent’s to make it 1-1.
Bayern only lead for a very short time
Bayern Munich started the second half more actively and controlled the game in this phase, in which both teams competed at a high Champions League level. In the 58th minute, Arsenal keeper Daphne van Domselaar was able to push a shot from Klara Bühl just over the crossbar. The subsequent corner seemed to have been rehearsed: Bühl briefly played a one-two to Giulia Gwinn, who hit the ball precisely to the second post to Eriksson. The defense player leveraged with feeling to make it 1:2.
Less than a minute later, Arsenal also got a corner. Ena Mahmutovic ran out of the Munich goal and jumped past the ball. Alessia Russo took advantage of the mistake to make it 2-2. In the 85th minute, referee Tess Olofsson awarded a penalty for Arsenal. A tough decision. Tuva Hansen had the ball hit his arm from very close range. Mariona Caldentey converted the penalty to make the final score 3-2.
