Chelsea’s 2-1 triumph over Wolfsburg on Wednesday marked the first time an English club has won there in the Women’s Champions League, a milestone that saw Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr each head the scores.
Chelsea’s Historic Victory
The match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena finished 2-1 in favour of Chelsea, with Bronze and Kerr each scoring headers. The win placed the Blues third in the group, behind Barcelona and OL Lyonnes. “It was definitely a tough game today,” Bronze said. “It was probably one of our hardest in the Champions League.”
Sam Kerr’s Milestone
Kerr’s goal made her the second Chelsea player to reach 20 career goals in the competition and the first Australian to achieve the mark. The header came after a well-timed run that caught the Wolfsburg defence off-balance.
Bayern Munich’s Direct Quarterfinal Spot
Bayern cruised to a 3-0 win over Norway’s Valerenga, securing the fourth and last direct quarterfinal place. The result also meant the team avoided the playoff round that had seemed unlikely after a 7-1 loss to Barcelona in October.
Juventus and Real Madrid Slip
Both Juventus and Real Madrid lost crucial points, pushing them into the playoff round. Real Madrid managed a 1-1 draw at Twente, with Sara Däbritz scoring deep into stoppage time. Juventus were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United, who won the match through a goal from Jess Park.
Playoff Draw Outlook
The playoff draw, scheduled for Thursday, will pit either Madrid or Juventus against Wolfsburg or Paris FC. The teams that qualify for the playoffs will have to navigate a challenging February schedule.
Arsenal’s Playoff Seeding
Defending champions Arsenal missed a direct quarterfinal spot but secured a favourable seeding, finishing fifth after a 3-0 win over Belgium’s OH Leuven. The match also saw Canadian forward Olivia Smith score her first Champions League goal on a rebound.
Beth Mead Adds to Arsenal’s Lead
Mead added a second goal with a curled left-foot shot, helping Arsenal extend their advantage over Leuven. The win also ensured Leuven progressed to the playoffs in twelfth place.
Barcelona and Lyonnes Confirmed
Barcelona and OL Lyonnes were all but assured of advancing as the top two teams, each winning their final group matches. Barcelona won 2-0 over Paris FC, with Vicky Lopez and Caroline Graham Hansen scoring.
Lyonnes’ Dominant Win
Lyonnes’ 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid was highlighted by an own goal from Vilde Boe Risa and a red card for Luany after pulling Selma Bacha’s hair.
Atletico and Paris Saint-Germain’s Outcomes
Atletico qualified in eleventh place, while Paris Saint-Germain’s winless campaign ended in seventeenth after a 1-1 draw at Benfica. Roma beat last-placed St. Polten 6-1 but still missed the knockout stages.
Key Takeaways
- Chelsea becomes the first English team to win at Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champions League.
- Bayern Munich secures a direct quarterfinal berth, avoiding the playoff round.
- Juventus and Real Madrid head to the playoff round after slip-ups.
The night of nine simultaneous games set the stage for an exciting playoff phase, with teams like Arsenal and Manchester United positioned to face tough opponents in February.
