Women´s Champions League: Chelsea secure quarter-final berth, Arsenal forced into play-offs

Chelsea sealed automatic qualification for the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League with a 2-1 win at Wolfsburg, but holders Arsenal were forced to settle for a play-off spot.

Sonia Bompastor’s Blues had a difficult assignment in their sixth and final league-stage game, with their place in the last eight far from assured.

But goals from Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr secured a big win as Chelsea finished third in the 18-team standings, only behind fellow heavyweights Barcelona and Lyon.

Chelsea had trailed to Alexandra Popp’s close-range finish, but after the German side missed several chances to extend their lead, Bronze got a headed equaliser just before half-time.

The Blues kicked on in the second half, and Kerr’s looping header secured their victory. Wolfsburg finished ninth in the final standings, so they will be unseeded for the play-offs.

Arsenal will be among the seeds, though the holders will be disappointed to have missed out on a top-four spot following a 3-0 victory over Leuven.

The final league phase standings #UWCL pic.twitter.com/YGcUS4Iny2

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) December 17, 2025

Olivia Smith and Beth Mead were on target, with Saar Janssen also putting through her own net, but Arsenal needed a favour from elsewhere to gatecrash the top four and Bayern Munich edged them out by a single point, having beaten Valerenga 3-0.

The Gunners, having finished fifth, will face either Atletico Madrid or Leuven – who finished 11th and 12th respectively – in a two-legged play-off tie.

Manchester United beat Juventus 1-0 with Jess Park on the scoresheet in Italy, and they will take on whichever of Atletico or Leuven are not drawn to face Arsenal.

The two remaining play-off ties will be between either Real Madrid or Juventus, and Wolfsburg or Paris FC, with the draw taking place on Thursday.