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Sunday, February 15, 2026

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UEFA Women’s Champions League

Arsenal and Manchester United have taken a huge stride towards the quarter finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League with

convincing away victories in the first leg of their play-off ties.

Arsenal produced a dominant display in Belgium, securing a commanding 4-0 victory over OH Leuven in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League knockout round play-off tie on Wednesday. Frida Maanum opened the scoring with a well directed header in the 21st minute, nodding home from Caitlin Foord's cross after the Australian forward had skilfully beaten her marker on the left. The Gunners doubled their lead shortly before half time when Chloe Kelly delivered a low cross from the left, allowing Olivia Smith to steer a first time finish into the bottom right corner.

Maanum added her second and Arsenal's third early in the second half, converting another Foord cross in the 51st minute following a neat through ball from Smith. The result was sealed in the 71st minute as substitute Smilla Holmberg's delivery found Alessia Russo, who finished clinically to make it 4-0.

Arsenal created numerous chances throughout, with Smith denied by goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve on a couple of occasions, while Victoria Pelova tested the keeper from range after the interval. Defensively, the visitors were largely untroubled, though Daphne van Domselaar produced a fine save to tip over a long range effort from Alixe Bosteels late on.

The performance leaves Arsenal in a strong position ahead of the second leg at home, with the winners set to face Chelsea in the quarter finals.

Manchester United also advanced impressively in their tie, defeating Atlético Madrid 3-0 away in the first leg on Thursday. Elisabeth Terland opened the scoring after just three minutes, powering home a left footed finish following Melvine Malard's clever lay off. Malard then added a superb curled effort into the far corner shortly before half time, capitalising on Hinata Miyazawa's interception to make it 2-0. Phallon Tullis-Joyce produced a stunning save to tip a free kick from former United midfielder Vilde Bøe Risa onto the crossbar in the second half, preserving the clean sheet amid Atleti's attempts to respond.

Julia Zigiotti sealed the victory in the 81st minute, drilling low past goalkeeper Lola Gallardo after Malard shielded and rolled the ball into her path—completing a goal-plus-two-assists contribution for the French forward.

United showed resilience and clinical finishing, limiting Atleti to few clear chances on a tricky surface. This result, marking United's 150th win in club history, gives them a healthy three-goal advantage heading into the return leg at Leigh next Thursday.

Both WSL sides have put themselves in pole position to progress to the quarter finals in this season's revamped competition.