Friday, November 22, 2024

What’s still to play for in Women’s Champions League group stage

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The draw for the quarter-finals will be held on 7 February 2025 [Getty Images]

Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have secured their places in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals with two group games to spare.

The three English sides have been joined by Lyon, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in progressing to the knock-out stages.

That leaves two knockout spots up for grabs – with Wolfsburg, Roma, Barcelona and Hammarby the teams in contention.

Here is what still needs to be decided over the final two rounds of matches.

Group A

Group A Champions League tableGroup A Champions League table

[BBC]

Last season’s runners-up Lyon beat Roma 4-1 on Wednesday to secure their place in the quarter-finals for a 16th season in a row.

A win or draw at already eliminated Galatasaray next month will mean the French champions clinch top spot and face a group runner-up in the last eight.

After thrashing Galatasaray 5-0, two-time European champions Wolfsburg are level with Roma on six points. However, the Italian side currently have the edge on the head-to-head record, having beaten Wolfsburg 1-0 on matchday one.

That means Roma will reach the quarter-finals for just the second time with a victory in Germany next month, while Wolfsburg can book their spot by winning by two or more goals.

However, if the teams draw then the race for second place in Group A would go to the final round of fixtures – when Wolfsburg travel to Lyon and Roma host Galatasaray.

Group B

Group B Champions League tableGroup B Champions League table

[BBC]

Chelsea and Real Madrid secured their quarter-final places with victories on Wednesday – eliminating Celtic and Twente respectively.

Real Madrid came from a goal down to beat Twente 3-2 in Enschede, while Chelsea eased past Champions League debutants Celtic 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Lucy Bronze, Wieke Kaptein and Eve Perisset all got on the scoresheet as Sonia Bompastor extended her winning start to life at Chelsea to 12 games.

The Blues, 2020-21 runners-up in this competition, are currently top of the group with 12 points – three ahead of Madrid.

They will clinch top spot if they beat Twente next month and Madrid fail to beat Celtic, while a draw would be enough if the Spanish side lose.

However, if both sides win their penultimate fixtures then the final matchday will be crucial – Chelsea would need to avoid defeat in Spain on 17 December to progress as group winners.

Group C

Group C Champions League tableGroup C Champions League table

[BBC]

Arsenal and Bayern Munich both clinched their spots in the last eight on Thursday after some late drama.

Valerenga netted an 87th-minute equaliser against Bayern to end the German side’s 100% record and dent their hopes of finishing top of Group C.

Arsenal sealed their quarter-final place thanks to Lina Hurting’s 89th-minute winner against Juventus – a goal which knocked the Italians out of the competition.

Bayern lead the group by a single point – but Arsenal host the German side in the final round of matches on 18 December.

Group D

Group D Champions League tableGroup D Champions League table

[BBC]

Manchester City beat Hammarby on Thursday to progress, while St Polten were eliminated after their 4-1 defeat by Barcelona.

City remain top of the group and three points clear of second-placed Barcelona, who can qualify for the quarters if they avoid defeat against Hammarby on 12 December.

If the Swedish side win both of their remaining games and Barcelona lose theirs, then head-to-head record would be looked at – although that is in the Champions League holders’ favour given they thumped Hammarby 9-0 in October.

After a home game against St Polten, Manchester City travel to Barcelona in their final group match on 18 December.

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