The Women’s Champions League concluded on Wednesday with a busy night of nine simultaneous matches, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich advancing to the quarter-finals while Juventus and Real Madrid head to the play-offs.
Headers from Lucie Bronze and Sam Kerr gave Chelsea a 2-1 win over two-time Champions League winners Wolfsburg, who moved into third place behind Barcelona and OL Lyon after Alexandra Popp’s goal put Wolfsburg ahead.
Chelsea became the first English team to defeat Wolfsburg in this competition, and Bronze magazine described it as “a good record that has finally been broken”. Kerr’s header made her the second Chelsea player to score 20 career goals in the Champions League, and the first Australian to achieve the feat.
“It was definitely a tough game today,” Bronze said. “It was probably one of the most difficult matches in the Champions League.”
Bayern won 3-0 against Norway’s Vallenga to earn their fourth and final direct quarter-final spot and avoid the play-off round. Back in October, when Bayern started their league campaign, it seemed unlikely. 7-1 loss To Barcelona.
Juventus and Real Madrid drop points
Bayern’s big win was just enough for a top-four spot, as Juventus and Real Madrid both fell down the table to reach the play-off rounds.
Real Madrid needed a goal from Sara Devritz late in stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw with Twente and finished seventh. Jess Park scored the only goal, floating the ball over the goalkeeper as Manchester United moved into sixth place with a 1-0 win over Juventus, denying Italy, currently in eighth place, a place in the quarter-finals.
This will set up some difficult play-off games in February, with either Madrid or Juventus facing either Wolfsburg or Paris FC. The draw is Thursday.
Arsenal win against Leuven
Defending champions Arsenal were unable to secure a direct place in the quarter-finals, but a 3-0 win over Belgium’s OH Leuven secured them a better seeding into the play-offs in fifth place, and the loss to Valerenga meant they advanced to the play-offs in 12th place.
Canadian forward Olivia Smith scored her first goal in the Champions League with a rebound of her own shot to put Arsenal ahead, and Beth Mead made it 2-0 with a curling left-footed shot. Arsenal or United could be drawn with Leuven or Atletico Madrid in February’s play-offs.
Barcelona and Lyon win again
Barcelona and OL Lyon were almost certain to advance as the top two, finishing the league with wins.
Barcelona beat Paris FC 2-0 with smart solo goals from Vicky López and Caroline Graham-Hansen, while Lyon benefited from Atlético’s mistakes to win 4-0.
Lyon were firmly in the lead by half-time thanks to an own goal from Vilde Boe Lisa and a red card for Atlético teammate Luany, who was sent off for pulling Selma Bacha’s hair. Atletico qualified in 11th place.
Paris Saint-Germain ended their winless season in 17th place with a 1-1 draw with Benfica. Although Roma defeated bottom-place St. Polten 6-1, they still missed out on a place in the knockout stages.
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