Chelsea came from behind to defeat Wolfsburg 2-1, securing a direct spot in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. Arsenal and Manchester United also won their final league phase matches but will enter the play-offs as seeded teams. The results cap a strong night for English clubs in the competition.
English Teams Shine on Final League Phase Night
On December 17, 2025, the Women's Champions League league phase concluded with simultaneous matches across Europe, highlighting strong performances from English sides. Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United all secured victories, ensuring progression to the knockout stages, though only Chelsea advanced directly to the quarter-finals.
In Wolfsburg, Germany, Chelsea trailed after Alexandra Popp's 16th-minute half-volley gave the hosts the lead following a poor clearance by goalkeeper Livia Peng. The Blues equalized just before half-time when Lucy Bronze headed in Erin Cuthbert's corner. Sam Kerr then secured the win in the 64th minute with a looping header from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's cross, marking her 20th Champions League goal. This 2-1 victory propelled Chelsea to third place with 13 points, behind Barcelona and OL Lyonnes. Bronze, named Player of the Match, told Disney+: "It was definitely a tough game today, one of our hardest in the Champions League. Coming here to Wolfsburg has never been easy. Someone said it is the first time an English team has actually won here. So that's a good record to have finally cracked."
Defending champions Arsenal dominated OH Leuven 3-0 in Belgium before a record crowd of 9,285 at Den Dreef. Olivia Smith opened the scoring in the 18th minute, reacting quickest to her own saved shot. Beth Mead added a second nine minutes later, curling a left-footed effort into the far corner after a pass from Alessia Russo. Substitute Caitlin Foord's low cross led to Saar Janssen's own goal in the 67th minute, confirmed after a VAR check. Despite the win, Arsenal finished fifth with 12 points, one behind Bayern Munich. Mead said to Disney+: "We know Leuven are a really hard team to break down so it's nice to get goals. We could've been a bit more clinical but happy to get the three goals."
Manchester United edged Juventus 1-0 in Turin at Allianz Stadium. Jess Park's 18th-minute curling strike from the edge of the box proved decisive, her first Champions League goal for the club. United, in their debut league phase, finished sixth with four wins from six, securing a seeded play-off spot. Park was instrumental, breaking up play and creating chances. A late penalty claim for Elisabeth Terland against Cecilia Salvai was waved away without VAR intervention.
Bayern Munich's 3-0 win over Vålerenga clinched fourth place, with goals from Momoko Tanikawa (2nd minute), Stine Ballisager (11th), and Pernille Harder (58th, assisted by Klara Bühl). This denied Arsenal a direct quarter-final berth. The play-off draw occurs on December 18 at 12:00 GMT, with ties in February. Chelsea resume in March quarter-finals.
