The Champions League play-offs finished, and knockout football begins as we get down to the final eight teams who head into the quarter-finals. Let's have a look at what happened in the second leg of the playoffs.
Arsenal v OH Leuven 7-1
Arsenal dominated their play-off match, winning 7-1 on aggregate over OH Leuven. The holders already did the damage in Belgium with a 4-0 victory in the first leg, allowing them to manage the return fixture at home.
The conditions were classic English winter weather, wet and windy. It significantly degraded the TV's camera quality, preventing it from capturing other players' faces. The rain also affected the pitch, disrupting Arsenal's rhythm. Sloppy possession and defensive errors gave Leuven chances, though they ultimately failed to threaten a comeback.
It took 20 minutes for either side to register a clear chance. Leuven had the first threat of the game through a one-on-one effort, but it was directly at the goalkeeper. Arsenal responded when Smilla Holmberg's cross was headed goalwards by Frida Maanum, forcing a save.
Arsenal broke the deadlock through Alessia Russ, who is now the Champions League top goalscorer this season. In recent years, the team with the top goalscorer has not won. She fired towards the goal with the goalkeeper unable to keep the ball out. Leuven did come out of these fixtures with one goal, though it was initially ruled out for offside under VAR review and then awarded.
The second half saw Caitlin Foord fouled in the penalty area, allowing Mariona Caldentey to convert from the spot to put Arsenal ahead again. Then, in added time, Russo used her strength in the box to create space and finish into the bottom corner, scoring her 50th goal for the club.
Russo led the line effectively, scoring two goals and maintaining a consistent physical presence. Caldentey added composure from the penalty spot, while Leuven goalkeeper Seynhaeve produced a series of saves to prevent a heavier defeat.
Arsenal will now face Chelsea in a London derby, with Arsenal having the upper hand in this season's results, but it's over two legs so anything could happen. Last season, Chelsea came from two goals behind to win 3-2 on aggregate against Manchester City and reach the semi-finals. Similarly, Arsenal lost 2-1 in the first leg against Lyon but came back strong,g winning 4-1 in the second leg.
Real Madrid v Paris FC 5-2.
Real Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals with a 5-2 aggregate victory over Paris FC following a dominant 2-0 home win after a 3-2 first leg success in Paris. There was a chance for Paris Fc to come back, but this was made significantly harder after just five minutes when Théa Greboval was sent off for bringing down Naomie Feller as she ran through on goal.
This error was their downfall as Real Madrid dominated possession and were awarded a 36th-minute penalty after Océane Picard handled Sara Däbritz’s cross. However, former Madrid goalkeeper Mylène Chavas saved Caroline Weir’s spot-kick, keeping Paris in the tie at the break.
Madrid finally broke through nine minutes into the second half when Feller volleyed in a cross from Eva Navarro. Navarro was again involved 13 minutes later, her delivery from the byline deflecting off Melween N’Dongala and into the net to make it 2–0 on the night.
With the numerical advantage, Real asserted control after the interval, registering 20 shots. Athenea del Castillo, Linda Caicedo and Däbritz all missed further opportunities as Paris struggled to contain the pressure.
Real Madrid will now face arch-rivals Barcelona Women in a two-legged quarter-final, with the second leg confirmed to take place at the Spotify Camp Nou.
This will be Real Madrid’s third Champions League quarter-final and their second against Barcelona. Since the women’s team was founded in 2020, Madrid have won just one of 22 official Clásicos, a 3–1 Liga F victory last season, with Barcelona otherwise dominant in the fixture.
Manchester United v Atletico Madrid 5-0
Manchester United Women reached the Women’s Champions League quarter finals for the first time in their history, completing a 5–0 aggregate victory over Atlético Madrid Women in their debut season in the competition.
After taking a 3–0 lead from the first leg in Spain, United were briefly tested early at Leigh Sports Village but quickly took control. Julia Zigiotti opened the scoring from Lisa Naalsund’s pull back before Jess Park added another superb goal before half-time to put the tie beyond doubt.
United were required to change into their black third kit on the day after Atlético arrived, with only their orange goalkeeper shirts rather than the pre-approved yellow alternative. The orange clashed with United’s red home kit, meaning the hosts had to switch kits, though the issue was resolved without affecting kick-off.
Despite an injury-hit squad with just four outfield players on the bench, Marc Skinner’s side were never seriously threatened. Atlético struggled to convert their chances, although Synne Jensen tested goalkeeper Phallon Tullis Joyce in the first half.
United controlled the second half comfortably,y and Atlético’s evening worsened when Xenia Perez was sent off for a second booking. United will now face Bayern Munich Women in the quarter-finals, with the first legs taking place on 24 and 25 March.
Wolfsburg v Juventus 4-2
Juventus Women were eliminated from the Women’s Champions League after losing 2–0 at home to Wolfsburg Women in the second leg of their play-off tie, giving the German side a 4–2 aggregate victory following a 2–2 draw in the first leg.
Wolfsburg took the lead in the first half through Vivien Endemann on the counterattack, leaving Juventus needing two goals to keep their European campaign alive. Juventus created several chances and hit the crossbar but were unable to turn their pressure into goals.
As Juventus committed players forward late on, Wolfsburg sealed the tie in stoppage time when Cora Zicai scored from long range. The result sent Wolfsburg through to their 13th Women’s Champions League quarter-final, highlighting their longstanding pedigree in the competition.
Juventus exited despite a strong performance, with the tie ultimately decided by Wolfsburg’s efficiency and experience at the European level.
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