The group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League is now at the business end. Teams were looking to seal their progress to quarter-finals as match day four unfolded across Europe.
Plenty of action unfolded during the latest round of UWCL results, including a superb four-goal flurry for Lyon, an Alex Popp masterclass and a first ever point against Bayern Munich for Vålerenga. Here’s how everything played out.
FC Twente 2-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid came from behind to beat FC Twente and secure their progress to the quarter-finals. Jaimy Ravensbergen gave the Dutch side the lead with just under half an hour played. She stabbed home Alieke Tuin’s inch-perfect free-kick.
Real levelled in first half stoppage time through Linda Caicedo. It was a goal all of the Colombian’s making, driving into the box and cutting inside. Her initial shot forced a good stop from Olivia Clark. Sandie Toletti’s rebounded effort was deflected back into Caicedo’s path and she made no mistake to lift the ball over Clark.
The Spanish side completed the turnaround with 20 minutes to play. It was another goal that owed much to the pace and quality of Caicedo. Her cross was turned home by Signe Bruun.
Alba Redondo got what turned out to be the winner in injury time as she raced through the Twente defence to slot home. Sophie te Brake pulled one back with a stunner a minute later, but Real held on to seal their progress.
Chelsea 3-0 Celtic
Chelsea are also through to the last eight after they dispatched Celtic at Stamford Bridge. Sonia Bompastor’s side showed six changes from their WSL win over Manchester City, but only needed two minutes to take the lead.
Lucy Bronze connected superbly with Catarina Macário’s cross to volley home. Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daughtery got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out. Dutch teenager Wieke Kaptein then headed home on 25 minutes to double the Chelsea advantage.
The WSL champions continued to create chances to add to their lead. Mayra Ramírez turned and muscled her way through two defenders, but her shot was well blocked by Caitlin Hayes.
A stoppage time penalty from Ève Périsset sealed the win a quarter-final berth. The quarter-finalists in Group B are sorted, all that remains is to decide who tops the group.
Lyon 4-1 Roma
An absolutely ridiculous final 16 minutes saw Lyon come from behind to beat Roma in their latest UWCL clash.
Melchie Dumornay missed a glorious chance to put Lyon ahead in first-half stoppage time, but could only poke wide from a couple of yards out. She drew a routine save from Roma keeper Camelia Cesar with a curling effort early in the second half.
Giulia Dragoni gave Roma the lead against the run of play with their only shot on target in the 74th minute. That was the wake up call Lyon needed as they roared back. A quick fire double from Kadidiatou Diani in the 77th and 79th minutes turned the game on its head.
Diani then turned provider for Eugénie Le Sommer, who hammered home a third in the 90th minute. As it had been with Diani’s goals, a corner proved Roma’s undoing as Wendie Renard headed home a fourth in stoppage time. That win all-but secured top spot in Group A for eight-time UWCL winners Lyon.
VfL Wolfsburg 5-0 Galatasaray
Alexandra Popp was involved in all five Wolfsburg goals as they beat Galatasaray to stay in touch with second placed Roma in Group A.
Popp reacted quickest to bury the rebound after Sarai Linder’s initial shot had been blocked. The Germany legend powered home a header at the back post to double hers and Wolfsburg’s tally after fifteen minutes. Janina Minge added a third after half-hour with a first-time piledriver from 18 yards out.
Popp completed her hat-trick with three minutes left, heading home Lynn Wilma’ cross. Lena Lattwein rounded off the night with a header that looped over Galastaray keeper Gamze Yaman.
A second consecutive 5-0 win over the Turkish champions sets up a huge match day five clash in Germany with Roma. The two sides are level on six points in the UWCL Group A, six behind leaders Lyon.
Hammarby 1-2 Manchester City
Manchester City sealed their spot in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Swedish side Hammarby. Bunny Shaw got the action underway, breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute before Ellen Wangerheim levelled the score shortly before the break.
Shaw then bagged her brace, sending the Sky Blues through to the final eight just minutes into the second half.
Following the game, it was confirmed that UEFA has opened proceedings against Hammarby after Shaw was struck by an object after scoring the opener.
St Pölten 1-4 Barcelona
Drew Vinestock was in a freezing Vienna for the visit of the European champions. Read the St Pölten vs Barcelona match report here.
Arsenal 1-0 Juventus
Millie Lumb was at the Emirates as Arsenal looked to secure their place in the quarter-finals. Read her match report here.
Vålerenga 1-1 Bayern Munich
Vålerenga claimed a first ever Champions League point against Bayern Munich, but it wasn’t enough to stop the German side sealing a spot in the last eight.
The hosts nearly took the lead when Emma Stølen Godoy timed her run to perfection to latch onto Karina Sævik’s through ball. She was first denied by a smart save by Ena Mahmutovic and then a block from Giulia Gwinn.
Into the second half and only a sensational save from Mahmutovic prevented Vålerenga from taking the lead. Picking up on a loose pass in the middle, the Norwegians worked the ball into Olaug Tvedten in the box. Her left-footed drive was stunningly tipped onto the post, with Tvedten’s luck completely out as the ball rolled along the line, hitting the other post and being picked up by Mahmutovic.
Bayern thought they’d won it with 15 minutes to go as Jovana Damnjanović turned home Gwinn’s cross. Elise Thorsnes’ late header claimed a historic point for Vålerenga, but it’s Bayern who progress to the knockouts.
