Beth Mead and Khadija Shaw in action for Manchester City, wearing black kit with yellow trimGetty Images

Beth Mead (left) scored for Manchester City and Khadija Shaw missed a penalty

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City produced a superb recovery as they fought back from 2-0 down on their return to the Women's Champions League to draw against Bayern Munich in Germany.

The match pitted the reigning league champions in England and Germany head to head, but the hosts dominated the opening spell.

It was no surprise when Bayern took an 11th-minute lead as Linda Dallmann's through ball was collected by an unmarked Giulia Gwinn and she shot past City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

It became 2-0 in farcical circumstances 16 minutes later when defender Kerstin Casparij made a mess of an attempted clearance and, under no pressure, sliced the ball into her own net.

City got back into the match just before half-time when Beth Mead, who won this competition with Arsenal two seasons ago, prodded home from close range after Khadija Shaw's shot deflected into her path.

There was controversy over the goal as a blue smoke bomb had been thrown on to the pitch, with Bayern's players saying the game should have stopped before the goal was scored.

City, who had last played in the Champions League in 2024-25, were handed a glorious chance to equalise when home goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic tripped Aoba Fujino to give away a penalty. But Mahmutovic made amends with a superb save to keep out Shaw's powerfully struck spot-kick.

However, there was late drama in store as City's Germany international Carlotta Wamser made it 2-2 with her first goal for the club, whipping a low shot past Mahmutovic.

A blue smoke bomb on the pitch, close to Manchester City and Bayern Munich playersGetty Images

A blue smoke bomb had been thrown on to the pitch and was still there when Manchester City attacked down the right and scored a goal

Wasteful Bayern left wondering how City fought back

Bayern had two late chances to take the three points, but Spanish substitute Edna Imade failed to hit the target both times.

The hosts reached the semi-finals of last season's Champions League and were playing a first competitive match at the Sportpark Unterhaching stadium, which is designated to be their long-term home.

A comfortable victory looked to be coming their way after a dominant opening 40 minutes.

As well as the goals that came their way, Bayern missed numerous opportunities, with Klara Buhl firing wide and former Chelsea attacker Pernille Harder also wasting an early attempt.

After Gwinn's opener, Buhl had an effort saved by Yamashita, and Jovana Damnjanovic shot over when well placed.

A deflected cross from City's Lauren Hemp bounced off the top of the crossbar and Shaw headed over from the following corner, before Casparij's own goal gave City an uphill task.

Bayern's Japanese midfielder Momoko Tanikawa could not convert two opportunities to make it 3-0 and from then on City were the better side.

Mead gave the visitors hope and even Shaw's missed penalty did not dampen spirits, with Wamser securing a hard-earned point for City.

Just like last year, the league phase of the Women's Champions League features 18 teams in one division, with each side playing six different opponents, three at home and three away.

Bayern play next in Portugal against Benfica on 30 September, and Manchester City have home advantage against Real Madrid on 1 October.

Player of the match

L. Hemp
7.50
21 P. Harder
6.70
10 L. Dallmann
6.68
7 G. Gwinn
6.38
4 G. Viggósdóttir
6.26
17 K. Bühl
6.25
9 J. Damnjanović
6.21
18 M. Tanikawa
6.11
20 F. Kett
5.81
1 E. Mahmutovic
5.80
15 B. Amani
5.75
2 V. Gilles
5.70
29 Edna Imade
5.40
25 S. Zadrazil
5.07
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