Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea and Bayern München booked direct qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals as a dramatic final matchday brought the league phase to a close. Atlético de Madrid and competition debutants OH Leuven completed the knockout line-up, claiming the final two play-off places. All the clubs that topped their league last season in the top leagues in Europe- Spain, England, Germany and France all automatically qualified for the quarter-final.
With all nine fixtures kicking off simultaneously and none of the top four positions confirmed beforehand, the closing round delivered high drama across Europe. Wins for Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea and Bayern ensured they avoided the play-off round, while Atlético and Leuven progressed at the expense of Vålerenga.
Wolfsburg 1–2 Chelsea
Chelsea confirmed their place in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought comeback victory in Germany, edging Wolfsburg out of the top four.
The hosts started brightly and took the lead in the 16th minute when Alexandra Popp struck on the half-volley, scoring her first goal against Chelsea in nine meetings. Wolfsburg continued to apply pressure but were unable to extend their advantage.
Chelsea found a crucial response just before the break as Lucy Bronze rose highest to head in Erin Cuthbert’s corner during first-half stoppage time. The equaliser shifted the momentum, and the Blues grew into the contest after the interval.
Alyssa Thompson struck the woodwork early in the second half before Sam Kerr made the decisive breakthrough on 64 minutes, converting Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross to become the first Australian to score 20 goals in the competition. Wolfsburg pushed desperately for a late equaliser and hit both the post and the crossbar in added time, but Chelsea held firm. Bronze was named Player of the Match. Sam Kerr became the first Australian to hit 20 Champions league goals she also became the second Chelsea player to score that amount just one less than Fran Kirby who holds the most for the blues. Chelsea become the first English side to beat Wolfsburg on German soil. They are now 24 games unbeaten in the champions league group/league phase.
Bayern München 3–0 Vålerenga
Bayern München sealed a top-four finish and ended Vålerenga’s hopes of progression with a commanding home victory.
The German champions made a blistering start, scoring twice inside the opening 11 minutes through Momoko Tanikawa and Stine Ballisager to seize control. Georgia Stanway had the chance to add a third before the break but saw her penalty saved by Tove Enblom, who produced several outstanding stops for the visitors.
Bayern eventually extended their lead in the second half when Pernille Harder headed home her fifth goal of the league phase, finishing as the outright top scorer. The result confirmed Bayern’s quarter-final place, while Tanikawa’s energetic display earned her Player of the Match honours.
OH Leuven 0–3 Arsenal
Arsenal produced their most convincing performance of the league phase with a comprehensive win in Belgium, but it was not enough to secure automatic qualification.
The holders took control in the first half, opening the scoring when Olivia Smith reacted quickest after her initial effort was saved. Nine minutes later, Beth Mead doubled the lead with a superb curling finish into the far corner.
Substitute Caitlin Foord played a key role in Arsenal’s third goal, her low cross deflecting into the net off Saar Janssen. Despite the defeat, Leuven celebrated qualification for the knockout play-offs in front of a Belgian competition record crowd of 9,285, benefiting from Vålerenga’s loss in Munich.
Paris FC 0–2 Barcelona
Barcelona confirmed top spot in the league table with a composed away win in Paris.
After Irene Paredes struck the post, the breakthrough arrived through Vicky López, who finished a flowing team move for her first European goal of the season. Paris responded well and hit the woodwork through Maëlle Garbino, but were unable to find an equaliser.
Barcelona doubled their advantage shortly after the restart when Caroline Graham Hansen drove home from a distance. López was named Player of the Match as Barcelona ended the league phase at the top of the table on every matchday.
OL Lyonnes 4–0 Atlético de Madrid
OL Lyonnes made certain of their quarter-final place with a dominant performance against Atlético de Madrid.
The eight-time European champions controlled the first half and eventually broke through via an own goal from Vilde Bøe Risa following sustained pressure. After the break, captain Wendie Renard converted a penalty for her 38th goal in UEFA club competition.
Kadidiatou Diani quickly added a second after a slick team move, before substitute Korbin Shrader capped the performance with a stunning long-range strike. Despite the heavy defeat, Atlético’s place in the knockout play-offs was confirmed thanks to results elsewhere.
Juventus 0–1 Manchester United
Manchester United rounded off their debut league phase campaign with a disciplined away victory to secure a seeded place in the knockout play-off draw.
Jess Park scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute, curling a superb effort into the top corner after United made a fast start. The visitors controlled much of the first half and limited Juventus to a few clear chances.
Both sides finished outside the top four and will contest the play-offs in February, with Park named Player of the Match and becoming the first player to score for both Manchester United and Manchester City in UEFA women’s club competition.
Twente 1–1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid missed out on automatic qualification after being held to a draw by already-eliminated Twente.
The Dutch side took the lead just 22 seconds after half-time when Jaimy Ravensbergen headed in from close range. Goalkeeper Diede Lemey then produced a string of fine saves to frustrate Madrid as they pushed for an equaliser.
The visitors eventually found a leveller in the dying moments when Sara Däbritz’s effort took a deflection, earning a point that ultimately proved insufficient to break into the top four.
Roma 6–1 St. Pölten
Roma signed off their league phase with an emphatic victory over a team eliminated from the league.
Evelyne Viens was the standout performer, scoring a superb hat-trick to become the only player to do so in this season’s league phase and the first for Roma in the competition. Alayah Pilgrim opened the scoring, while further goals from Giulia Dragoni and Alice Corelli capped a dominant display.
Isabel Aistleitner scored a late consolation for St. Pölten as Roma claimed their first win of the campaign in style.
Benfica 1–1 Paris Saint-Germain
Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain shared the points in Lisbon, as both sides completed winless league phases.
PSG struck early through Jennifer Echegini, who powered home a left-footed effort after driving forward from midfield. Benfica grew into the contest and equalised from the penalty spot through captain Carole Costa.
PSG went closest to a late winner when Merveille Kanjinga struck the post twice, but neither side could find a decisive goal. Echegini was named Player of the Match on a frustrating night for both teams.
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