Bayern, Man City win as Chelsea held by Häcken in Champions League

Pernille Harder forced an own goal and delivered a decisive assist as Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 on Tuesday to move into second place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase, UEFA.com reported.

The Bayern victory, achieved in the French capital, strengthened their prospects of finishing in the top four of the league phase for a second season. With this result, the German side moved ahead of Chelsea in the standings on goal difference.

Both clubs entered Tuesday’s fixture with five points apiece. The visitors broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark when Paris goalkeeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek turned Harder’s cutback into her own net.

Harder provided another decisive pass shortly before halftime, floating an exquisite ball for Klara Bühl to finish with precision. Paulina Dudek converted a penalty kick for Paris in the second half, but Bayern held firm to inflict the first defeat of the league phase on the French side.

Klara Bühl earned player-of-the-match honors. Records show Bühl has now scored or assisted in five of her six Champions League appearances against Paris Saint-Germain, totaling two goals and three assists.

Manchester City overcame an early deficit to thrash Inter 4-1 on Tuesday, securing their first victory of the league phase after three draws, UEFA.com reported. Laura Blindkilde Brown was named player of the match for her performance in the contest. Manchester City scored four goals in a single group or league phase match for the first time in the competition.

Elisa Bartoli opened the scoring with a header from a precise cross. Aoba Fujino responded with two goals before halftime to overturn the scoreline for the English champions.

Captain Kerstin Casparij extended the advantage before Grace Clinton netted her first Champions League goal. Inter threatened through Michela Cambiaghi, but goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita produced a superb save to preserve the score.

Chelsea dominated in Gothenburg but failed to break down a resolute Häcken defense in a scoreless draw, UEFA.com reported.

Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk marshaled the Swedish side’s backline with vital stops against Ellie Carpenter and Lucy Bronze. Pernille Sanvig cleared another effort off the goal line while Chelsea struck the crossbar twice.

The visitors attempted 27 shots compared to just five for Häcken, leaving Chelsea with eight points from four matches without conceding a goal.

Bayern, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Roma won their matches on Tuesday to open the fourth day of the league phase.