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Tuesday, February 24, 2026

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UEFA Women’s Champions League

Arsenal and Manchester United both secured their places in the quarter finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League with convincing aggregate victories in their knockout play-off ties, setting up intriguing clashes in the last eight.

Arsenal eased through to the last eight despite challenging conditions at Meadow Park, defeating OH Leuven 3-1 in the second leg for a 7-1 aggregate triumph.

The Gunners had already built a commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg in Belgium, allowing them to manage the game in wet and windy weather. England striker Alessia Russo opened the scoring on the night in the 22nd minute, spinning away from her marker and dribbling the ball over the line. OH Leuven briefly threatened when Sára Pusztai equalised in the 28th minute, slotting home Kim Everaerts' pull-back in the six yard box after a lengthy VAR check initially ruled the goal out for offside. The visitors celebrated enthusiastically, but it proved a mere consolation.

Arsenal restored their lead through Mariona Caldentey's penalty in the 64th minute, before Russo sealed the result with a smart turn and finish in the 89th minute to make it 3-1 on the night. The visitors' best opportunity fell to Jade Conijnenberg, who raced through one-on-one with goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar but failed to capitalise.

Arsenal did enough to ensure no dramatic comeback, advancing comfortably to face Women's Super League rivals Chelsea in the quarter finals. The two-legged tie is scheduled for 24-25 March (first legs) and 1-2 April, promising a thrilling London derby between two of England's top sides.

In their first season competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League, Manchester United reached the quarter finals by defeating Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the second leg, completing a commanding 5-0 aggregate victory. Marc Skinner's side took a three-goal advantage from the first leg in Spain and faced early pressure at Leigh Sports Village, with Atletico desperate for an early goal to spark a revival.

However, United struck first in the 28th minute when Julia Zigiotti Olme slotted home Lisa Naalsund's cut back. Jess Park then doubled the lead with a brilliant strike in the 41st minute, effectively ending the contest before half time and providing relief to Skinner amid recent injury concerns. United's bench featured just four outfield players, but their depth went untested as Atletico struggled to match the hosts' ruthlessness.

Atletico's Synne Jensen offered some threat, testing goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce several times in the first half, but the tie was beyond reach within the opening period. The evening ended on a sour note for the visitors when defender Xènia Pérez was sent off in the 85th minute following a second yellow card.

United now join fellow English sides Arsenal and Chelsea in the last eight, where they will face Bayern Munich in the quarter finals, also over two legs on 24-25 March and 1-2 April. This marks a landmark achievement for the Red Devils in their debut European campaign.  

Quarter finals:   

Manchester United v Bayern Munich

Real Madrid v Barcelona

Arsenal v Chelsea

VfL Wolfsburg v Olympique Lyonnais