Bayern Munich And Barcelona Draw 1-1 In UWCL Semi-final First Leg After Kett Red Card

Bayern Munich stayed in the Women’s Champions League semi-final contest by drawing 1-1 with Barcelona, despite finishing with 10 players after Franziska Kett was sent off, leaving the tie finely balanced before the return leg at Camp Nou.

The match at Allianz Arena brought a sharp contrast to Bayern’s 7-1 group-stage defeat against the same opponents, with Alexander Straus’ side showing more control, greater discipline in defence and enough attacking edge to frustrate Barcelona’s usually fluent forward line.

The closing stages became hostile when Kett, who had earlier scored Bayern’s equaliser, was dismissed 10 minutes from time for pulling Salma Paralluelo’s hair, while Barcelona assistant Jose Barcola also received a red card for protesting against the referee’s decision.

After those dismissals, Barcelona increased the tempo and forced Bayern back, with Mapi Leon drawing a strong save from a long-range strike and Paralluelo lifting a stoppage-time chance over the bar, as the hosts survived several anxious moments.

Barcelona struck first in the seventh minute when Esmee Brugts delivered a precise cross for Ewa Pajor, who finished confidently and moved level with Alessia Russo at the top of this season’s scoring chart with an eighth Champions League goal.

Bayern responded after the break and were rewarded in the 69th minute, when Pernille Harder advanced down the left on a counter-attack and squared the ball for Kett, who arrived in space and guided a controlled effort beyond the goalkeeper.

Women's Champions League semi-final sees Barcelona pressure and Bayern resilience

Barcelona created enough chances to win the first leg, especially early in the second half, as Brugts struck the base of the post from distance and Patri Guijarro saw a close-range header cleared off the line shortly after the hour mark.

Bayern, however, remained compact and dangerous on breaks, limiting Barcelona to fewer attempts than usual and using Harder’s runs to relieve pressure, which helped protect the draw and maintain belief after the heavy defeat earlier in the competition.

Women's Champions League semi-final streak keeps Bayern final hopes alive

The draw extends Bayern’s unbeaten run in this season’s Women’s Champions League to eight matches, their longest sequence in the competition since at least the 2016-17 campaign, underlining steady progress at this advanced stage of the tournament.

Barcelona attempted only seven shots, the lowest total for Barcola’s side in this Champions League campaign, but the away goal and level aggregate score still leave a strong opportunity to reach the final for the first time in the club’s history.