Barca Triumphs Despite Key Absences, Man Utd’s Selection Gamble Fails

The Women’s Champions League group stages are almost done, and things are getting tense as teams fight for quarter-final spots. Ten of the 18 teams have already locked in at least a play-off place. The last fixtures will decide who else goes through automatically.

English clubs—Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United—have made real progress, along with Barcelona and OL Lyonnes. Still, nothing is settled yet. So what’s really going on with these top teams?

English Teams Making Their Mark

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United have all booked their quarter-final play-off spots. That says a lot about the strength of English football right now.

But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Each team’s journey has had its own twists and bumps.

Arsenal’s Grit and Determination

Arsenal grabbed a play-off spot with a tight 1-0 win over FC Twente. Their group stage run included tough losses to Lyonnes and Bayern Munich, but they still managed to show their class.

Their pressing game rattled Twente, with Beth Mead and Olivia Smith causing all sorts of problems out wide. They just couldn’t finish off enough of their chances, though. Mead even mentioned after the match that they need to take more risks up front.

Defensively, Arsenal looked solid and kept Twente quiet. Next up is a big test against Oud-Heverlee Leuven. They’ll have to sharpen up in attack if they want to defend their European title.

Chelsea’s Ruthless Performance

Chelsea’s 6-0 hammering of Roma really sent a message. After losing their first league match under Sonia Bompastor to Everton—snapping a 34-game unbeaten run—Chelsea needed a strong response.

They got it, and then some. Sandy Baltimore, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Wieke Kaptein, Maika Hamano, and Lucy Bronze all found the net. Chelsea’s depth and firepower were clear for everyone to see.

The win puts them in a great spot for an automatic quarter-final place. Their last group game against Wolfsburg is going to be massive.

Manchester United’s Struggles and Hopes

Manchester United’s campaign hasn’t been straightforward. A heavy 3-0 loss to OL Lyonnes showed the difference in quality and squad depth.

They looked better in the second half but never really troubled OL’s keeper. Marc Skinner’s decision to rotate the squad didn’t pay off, and he had to bring on his more technical players to steady things.

United’s management will probably need to look at signings in January if they want to compete at this level. They still have a shot at an automatic spot, but they’ll need some results to go their way.

European Giants: Barcelona and OL Lyonnes

Barcelona and OL Lyonnes have both secured automatic quarter-final spots. Their journeys, though, have looked pretty different.

Barcelona’s Depth Tested

Barcelona beat Benfica 3-1, even though they missed key players like Aitana Bonmati, Patri Guijarro, and Salma Paralluelo. The first half was all Barcelona, but Benfica’s keeper Lena Pauels and the post kept them out.

Alexia Putellas even tried a bicycle kick that didn’t quite come off. Benfica equalized early in the second half, but an own goal and a Putellas finish sealed it for Barcelona. They showed plenty of depth, but honestly, they’ll need to be sharper in attack and a bit tighter at the back as the tournament goes on.

OL Lyonnes’ Dominance

OL Lyonnes completely outclassed Manchester United with a 3-0 win. Tabitha Chawinga’s early header set the mood for the match.

Even though United improved after halftime, OL’s quality just took over. Melchie Dumornay bagged two late goals, including a real rocket into the top corner. Lyonnes’ mix of power and skill stood out, and they’re going to be tough to stop in the knockouts.

Looking Ahead: Final Group Stage Matches

We’re heading into the last week of group stage fixtures, and things are getting tense. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Juventus all want those remaining automatic quarter-final spots. Right now, Chelsea looks best placed to grab one.