After an entertaining two-all draw in the semi-final of the Women's Cup in Louisville, Paris Saint-Germain were eliminated 5-4 on penalties by FC Bayern on Wednesday at the Lynn Family Stadium.
In the first outing on American soil, Paris locked horns with a familiar opponent in the form of German champions FC Bayern in the opening match of the friendly tournament in Kentucky. It was another big challenge for Didier Ollé Nicole’s side as preparations intensify for the start of their French title defence in a few weeks.
In this match-up, worthy of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, it was Paris who had the better of the opening exchanges. The French champions took the lead when Sandy Baltimore beat her opponent on the wing and crossed for the head of Marie-Antoinette Katoto to net her first goal in pre-season (1-0, 19’). However just before the break, two quick-fire goals from Linda Dallmann (1-1, 43’) and Léa Schuller (1-2, 45’) saw the German side in front at the break. Paris went back on the front foot early in the second half and just before the hour mark, Sandy Baltimore delivered her second assist of the afternoon as Kheira Hamraoui scored her first goal since her return to the club this summer (2-2, 57’).
It finished 2-2 and penalties were needed to separate the two sides. In the end Bayern prevailed 5-4 and Les Rouge et Bleu will now take on the Chicago Red Stars in Saturday’s third-placed match.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 2-2 (4-5 on pens.) BAYERN MUNICH
The Women’s Cup 2021
Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, Kentucky)
Goals: Marie Antoinette Katoto (PSG) 19’, Linda Dallmann (FCB) 42’, Léa Schuller (FCB) 45’, Kheira Hamraoui (PSG) 57’
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Voll, Dudek, De Almeida, Karchaoui, Le Guilly (Cascarino, 71’), Dabritz (Khelifi, 87’), Geyoro (Fazer, 88’), Hamraoui (Sangaré, 71’), Diani, Katoto (Bachmann, 81’), Baltimore (Hurtre, 88’). Coach: Didier Ollé Nicole.
BAYERN MUNICH: Leitzig, Kumagai, Rall, Dallmann, Chuller, Asseyi, Wenninger, Zadrazil, Hegering, Simon. Coach: Jens Scheuer.