Manchester United will have to come from behind to reach the main draw of the Women’s Champions League after being upset by SK Brann in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie in Bergen.
Marc Skinner’s side dominated the match for 75 minutes in front of 16,019 fans – a record crowd for a women’s match in Norway – with Ella Toone, former Brann forward Elisabeth Terland, and Melvine Malard all going close.
However, they were frustrated by a strong performance from goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen, before defender Ingrid Stenevik headed in a 76th-minute winner.
It gave the hosts the advantage heading into the second leg at Leigh Sports Village on 18 September.
The winner of the tie will advance to the league stage of the Women’s Champions League, while the loser will drop into the second qualifying round of the inaugural Women’s Europa Cup.
With several chances wasted, it seemed as if United didn’t have their shooting boots on.
And that was actually the case for some as news outlet Reuters reported players’ boots had gone missing in transit on the journey to Bergen.
Replacements were secured for those affected before kick-off, but United could have been out of sight inside the opening 45 minutes.
Toone had two shots smartly saved by Panengstuen, while Norwegian Terland twice headed off target either side of having a shot from distance deflected wide by Stenevik.
Panengstuen produced a sharp double save on the hour mark to further frustrate the visitors. First she got down well to deny Dominique Janssen and reacted well as United looked to pounce on the rebound. Panengstuen then kept out French forward Malard’s header.
Brann hadn’t threatened Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s goal until Stenevik found space in the box to nod in Signe Gaupset’s free-kick.
United rallied, but the impressive Panengstuen produced another fine diving stop to deny Toone.