Benítez Rescues Dramatic Point in Champions League Thriller

Fiamma Benítez unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 yards that crashed into the top corner with just two minutes remaining, sending the Centro Deportivo Alcalá de Henares into raptures as 12th-placed Atlético Madrid snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw against third-placed Bayern Munich in a pulsating Champions League encounter.

The evening began perfectly for the hosts when Vilde Bøe Risa stepped up to convert a 13th-minute penalty with clinical precision, sending the ball straight down the middle as Ena Mahmutovic dove to her left. Bayern's response came after the break through their Danish talisman Pernille Harder, who leveled in the 63rd minute with a composed right-footed finish from the center of the box after excellent work from Klara Bühl. Harder struck again just 15 minutes later, prodding home from close range following another Bühl assist to seemingly secure victory for the German giants. But Benítez had other ideas, collecting Luany's pass before unleashing an unstoppable drive that left Mahmutovic helpless.

The tactical battle ebbed and flowed throughout, with Bayern's superior possession statistics of 57.2% reflecting their patient build-up play through Linda Dallmann and Momoko Tanikawa in midfield. Atlético's defensive resilience, marshaled by Lauren Leal and Gabriela García, frustrated the visitors for long periods, while Andrea Medina provided crucial width down the left flank. The contest intensified when Giulia Gwinn missed a penalty in the 53rd minute after Silvia Lloris was penalized for handball following a VAR review.

Despite Bayern's dominance in shots on target (10 to 8), Atlético created the clearer chances in the final third. Mahmutovic made crucial saves to deny both Luany and Benítez earlier in the second half, while at the other end, Jovana Damnjanovic spurned a golden opportunity on the counter-attack in the 61st minute. The visitors registered 17 total shots compared to Atlético's 12, but struggled to find the clinical edge that has characterized their Champions League campaign.

The turning point arrived in those frantic final minutes when Benítez, who had been fouled heavily throughout the match and required treatment for an injury in the 75th minute, found the space and composure to deliver when it mattered most. The Brazilian's spectacular equalizer capped a remarkable individual performance that epitomized Atlético's never-say-die spirit.

Atlético Madrid will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Eibar on December 14, desperately needing points to climb the table. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, host Valerenga on December 17, where they'll aim to bounce back and maintain their strong position in the group standings.