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Saturday, December 13, 2025

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UEFA Women’s Champions League

Chelsea returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion, hammering Roma 6-0 at by at Stamford Bridge to climb to third in the

league phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

After Sunday’s shock Barclays WSL defeat to Everton, Sonia Bompastor’s side were looking for a return to form at the first time of asking but needed a slice of luck to breach Roma’s stubborn defence. It arrived on 13 minutes when Valentina Bergamaschi, attempting to clear Sandy Baltimore’s deep cross, headed past her own goalkeeper Olivie Lukasova.

The Blues soon doubled their lead through excellent work from Keira Walsh, whose pinpoint diagonal ball found Johanna Rytting Kaneryd at the far post; the Swede nodded down for Wieke Kaptein to smash home. Sam Kerr spurned a glorious chance to make it three just before the break, heading over from close range, but Rytting Kaneryd was on hand again to tap into an empty net after Lukasova had denied Kerr.

With the points safe, Chelsea turned the second half into a procession. Sjoeke Nüske converted from the spot for the fourth after referee Ewa Augustyn overturned an initial penalty awarded against the German following a VAR review. Substitutes Guro Reiten and Maika Hamano combined for a classy fifth, Hamano curling home after Reiten’s clever hold up play, before Lucy Bronze completed the rout with a cross that looped over Lukasova in the dying minutes.

The result lifts Chelsea to 11 points, and victory against Wolfsburg on the final match day could yet secure automatic qualification for the quarter finals.

Manchester United’s latest appearance in the Champions League proper ended in a sobering 3-0 home defeat to eight-time winners Olympique Lyonnais at Leigh Sports Village. With a play-off berth already guaranteed, Marc Skinner rang the changes, making five alterations and resting several regulars. Lyon ruthlessly exposed the reshuffled side, dominating possession and restricting United to just one touch in the opposition box during a one-sided first half.

Tabitha Chawinga’s diving header gave the French side a deserved early lead, and although United improved after half time introductions of Ella Toone, Jess Park and Julia Zigiotti, they rarely threatened Christiane Endler in the Lyon goal. Melchie Dumornay effectively settled the contest with a fine curled effort ten minutes from time, before adding a second to seal a comfortable victory.

Lyon remain unbeaten and sit second in the 18-team table, level on points with Barcelona. United stay ninth and will enter the play-off round unseeded as things stand.

Holders Arsenal booked their place in the knockout phase despite another laboured display, edging past FC Twente 1-0. Beth Mead’s deflected tenth minute strike – set up by quick thinking from Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo – proved decisive, but the Gunners were made to sweat for the three points.

Renee Slegers’ side controlled proceedings yet struggled to convert territorial dominance into clear cut chances. Russo was guilty of several second half misses, including a header that crashed against the bar, while substitute Frida Maanum saw an effort blocked on the line.

The victory moves Arsenal up to sixth on nine points, where they currently occupy a seeded play-off spot. Only a win against Leuven on matchday six will give them any hope of sneaking into the top four and a direct passage to the quarter finals.