Melvine Malard came off the bench to equalize as Manchester United drew 1-1 with Paris St Germain in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on a historic evening at Leigh Sports Village.
On-loan Lyon striker Malard – who also scored after featuring in last Friday’s 2-2 Women’s Super League draw with Arsenal at the same venue – scored in the 70th minute to cancel out Tabitha Chawinga’s 54th-minute opener .
Two-time Champions League runners-up PSG had taken the lead after dominating much of the first half of United’s European debut, following their runner-up finish in the WSL last season.
Marc Skinner’s side then responded impressively after going behind, with substitutes Geyse and Malard helping them look much more threatening in attack.
The second leg takes place in Paris next Wednesday as the teams fight for a place in the Champions League group stage, for which WSL champions Chelsea have automatically qualified.
How Man Utd secured a draw on a historic night
United – watched from the stands by former men’s goalkeeper David de Gea, as well as England coach Sarina Wiegman – found themselves under pressure in the opening seconds when Millie Turner cleared a shot from Chawinga out of line.
And a few moments later, another PSG burst saw Sandy Baltimore make a good save from Mary Earps.
As the visitors continued to take center stage, Lieke Martens headed upfield and Earps blocked a Baltimore shot with her legs in the 11th minute, before play was interrupted by an injury to PSG defender Oriane Jean -François, who was taken to a field. stretcher, gave United some breathing space.
After Earps was then called into action to deny Baltimore once more, United then had their first real opportunity in the 24th minute as Lucia Garcia looked to pounce on a misjudged back pass, only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Constance Picaud.
Skinner’s side looked more stable thereafter, but were unable to create much attacking momentum, while further PSG efforts saw Korbin Albert shoot over and Chawinga’s strike was collected by Earps.
Skinner brought Geyse on for Jayde Riviere at the break and two minutes into the second half the Brazilian striker made an eye-catching run and shot off target.
But soon after, the hosts were behind as Chawinga latched onto Baltimore’s thrown pass and past Earps into the corner of the net.
Albert fired over seven minutes later before United went close as a corner was diverted towards goal and PSG substitute Marie-Antoinette Katoto stepped in on the line.
Following a Leah Galton effort which went just wide of the visitors’ goal, Malard and Hinata Miyazawa were then introduced from the United bench – and four minutes later the former had equalized for the home side, nodding home Turner’s header after a corner.
As United pushed for another goal, Turner headed towards goal in the 85th minute, but it was the last effort cleared off the line as the teams eventually took equal honors.