Barcelona, Lyon and Chelsea reach the quarter-finals directly, while Arsenal and Manchester United must navigate the play-off round
BARCELONA, Lyon and Chelsea secured direct qualification for the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Holders Arsenal and Manchester United must instead progress through a play-off round after missing the top four.
Spanish champions Barcelona finished the league phase unbeaten after a 2-0 win away to Paris FC.
Vicky Lopez and Caroline Graham Hansen scored the goals for the five-time finalists in the French capital.
Barcelona pipped Lyon to first place on goal difference after both clubs finished level on 16 points.
Lyon thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 with captain Wendie Renard converting a penalty.
Kadidiatou Diani and Korbin Shrader also scored, while an own goal from Vilde Boe Risa opened the scoring before Atletico were reduced to 10 players.
Chelsea came from behind to win 2-1 away to Wolfsburg and claim third place.
Alexandra Popp opened the scoring for the German side before headers from Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr completed the turnaround for the Blues.
Bayern Munich edged Arsenal and United to the final automatic quarter-final berth by a single point.
The German side eased to a 3-0 win over Norwegian outfit Valerenga.
Arsenal defeated Belgian side Leuven 3-0 with goals from Olivia Smith and Beth Mead, plus an own goal from Saar Janssen.
That victory was Arsenal’s fourth straight win but followed two opening losses, leaving them in fifth.
Manchester United beat Juventus 1-0 in Turin thanks to a fine finish from Jess Park.
Juventus had started the night in the top four but United’s win saw them finish level with Arsenal on 12 points.
The draw for the knockout phase will be held on Thursday. – AFP
