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Monday, December 22, 2025

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UEFA Women’s Champions League

Chelsea secured automatic qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback

victory away to Wolfsburg in the final matchday of the league phase.

Goals from Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr ensured the Blues finished third in the 18-team table, joining Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, and Bayern Munich in the last eight. However, it was far from straightforward against the dual champions, who dominated much of the first half.

Wolfsburg deservedly took the lead in the 16th minute when a mishandled clearance from Chelsea goalkeeper Livia Peng was nodded back into danger by Janou Levels, allowing Alexandra Popp to volley home on the bounce. The hosts spurned further opportunities to extend their advantage but were pegged back just before half time, as Bronze rose highest to head in from a corner.

Chelsea controlled the second half, striking the post through Alyssa Thompson before Kerr sealed the win with a looping header. Late pressure from Wolfsburg, including Vivien Endemann hitting the bar, made for a tense finish, but the visitors held on to claim a historic first win on German soil against the Wolves.

Defending champions Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over OH Leuven but finished fifth in the league phase, one point adrift of fourth placed Bayern Munich, meaning they must navigate the knockout play-offs.

Renée Slegers' side, who lifted the trophy with a 1-0 win over Barcelona in last season's final, dominated proceedings in Belgium. Alessia Russo saw two headers saved early on before Olivia Smith opened the scoring in the 18th minute, reacting quickest after her initial effort was parried.Beth Mead doubled the lead nine minutes later, cutting inside onto her left foot and curling beyond goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve. An own goal from Saar Janssen, diverting Caitlin Foord's low cross into her own net, completed the scoring in the 67th minute.

Despite the comprehensive win, Arsenal will face a two-legged play-off in February, with the draw determining opponents at 12pm on Thursday. They are seeded and could potentially draw a rematch with Leuven or face Atlético Madrid. Leuven's second league phase defeat was offset by results elsewhere, allowing the debutants to scrape into the play-offs in 12th.

Manchester United earned a seeded position in the knockout play-off draw, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Jess Park's curling effort into the far corner early in the first half proved decisive, as Marc Skinner's side – competing in the league phase for the first time – ended with four wins from six matches.

United controlled the opening period and could have added more, with efforts from Park and Melvine Malard deflected or saved. Juventus pressed in the second half, exploiting the visitors' fatigue, but United held firm despite a late penalty appeal for a challenge on Elisabeth Terland being waved away.

Both sides miss out on direct quarter final progression but advance to the two-legged play-off round, with United's sixth place finish ensuring a seeded draw.