UEFA Women's Champions League: Bayern find their spark after Benfica hold firm

By Fleur Dias @truenorthxi The German champions stayed patient in Lisbon before three late goals turned a tight UWCL contest into a convincing away win. 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.

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.