OneFootball
Emily Wilson·18. Dezember 2024
OneFootball
Emily Wilson·18. Dezember 2024
More UEFA Women's Champions League action continued on Wednesday with four scheduled games.
The quarter-finalists are set, but teams wanted to cement their spot as group winners. Here is what went down.
Scorers: Viggósdóttir 7' (OG), Russo 59', Caldentey 86' (P) ; Eriksson 39', 58'
Arsenal topped Group C after a thrilling 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in a rain-heavy England.
An early mistake and flat defending from Bayern led to the opener as Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir head into her own net, and Arsenal rejoiced.
Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius and Mariona Caldentey struggled to put an effort on target for the Gunners. But they just needed some time.
The Bundesliga side, meanwhile, grew into the game as things carried on and subsequently drew level when Magda Eriksson smashed home from point-blank range.
The drama continued after the break, too, as fans were on the edge of their seats in poor conditions.
Erikkson secured a brace when she beat Russo in the box for pace and chested home a second as Bayern thought they completed the turnaround.
Minutes later, however, the England star made up for her mistake and volleyed home the equaliser at the back post for 2-2 after a set piece.
Late drama awarded the hosts a penalty after a handball in the box. Caldentey remained calm, cool and collected to ensure the Gunners claimed first and Bayern second.
Scorers: Bergamaschi 6', Cantore 56', Kullberg 64'
Juventus returned to winning ways for the first time in the UWCL since Matchday 1 after a 3-0 win over Vålerenga.
Valentina Bergamaschi was the first on the scoresheet when she was left unmarked at the back post and blasted home within 10 minutes.
The hosts, however, were made to work for their second goal as Vålerenga stifled every remaining attack in the first half to keep things 1-0.
That lead quickly doubled for the Italian side, though, as Sofia Cantore picked up a ball in midfield and caught goalkeeper Tove Enblom out of her area.
A late header from Emma Kullberg then ensured the match was put to bed, and Juventus finished third in the group while Vålerenga were last.
Scorers: Pina 44', Bonmati 56', Putellas 70'
Barcelona topped Group D after cruising past Manchester City 3-0 at home.
As the two heavyweights in the group, this would always be an entertaining contest in Spain, and the hosts lunged forward, needing to win by two goals.
Khiara Keating kept the visitors in the game and saved roughly five first-half efforts as Salma Paralluelo and Ewa Pajor struggled to beat the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the closest City came to finding the net was when Jill Roord hit the crossbar.
The deadlock eventually broke thanks to some luck when Claudia Pina struck home a loose ball into the far right corner beyond the diving shot-stopper.
Aitana Bonmati then ensured Barcelona were in the driver's seat after racing toward goal and sending the ball under Keating's legs for 2-0 immediately after the restart.
Without Bunny Shaw or Lauren Hemp, a comeback from the English club was virtually out of reach, coupled with only three efforts on target.
The game was then put to bed when two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas finally returned to action after a month and struck a low drive from outside the box.
Scorers: Dubcová 84'; Tandberg 19', Blakstad 22'
It was one-way traffic as Hammarby ensured St. Pölten finished the group stage with zero points after a 2-1 win.
The deadlock broke when striker Cathinka Tandberg finished a thumping header from point-blank range.
Then, in a flash, the visitors ensured they were in cruise control as Julie Blakstad flicked home a low cross into the bottom left of the net.
With zero shots at half-time, St. Pölten would have wanted to ramp up the pressure, and they did so marginally in the second half.
Kamila Dubcová's volley, however, arrived too late in the game to push for a complete turnaround, and Hammarby held on for the victory.
The quarter-finalists are Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern München, Chelsea, Lyon, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Wolfsburg.
📸 Julian Finney - 2024 Getty Images