The UEFA Women's Champions League returned for the final match of the group stage on Wednesday as two English contenders secured their place at the top of their standings.
Chelsea managed to complete the comeback against Real Madrid as two superb penalties from Catarina Macario earned the team a 2-1 win at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
As the injury woes continue to pile up, Manchester City the first place in the group was stolen from the defending champion Barcelona. Gareth Taylor's side struggled in Spain, suffering a 3-0 defeat at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
How much for Arsenalan instant Champions League spectacle without Mariona Caldentey steal the 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the closing stages of the game. Renee Slegers extended her unbeaten run to eleven games as the Gunners claimed top spot in their group.
90 min have looked at the six key lessons from match six of the Women's Champions League…
Arsenal can't be stopped now, as a triumphant 3-2 win against Bayern Munich took the team to the top of their group. The Gunners went eleven games unbeaten under interim manager Renee Slegers, and it was the fight and passion shown by the players that made this moment even more special.
Since taking over following the resignation of Jonas Eidevall, Slegers has guided Arsenal to new heights. The players have been injected with a new sense of confidence, and as star defender Leah Williamson described it, “I'm so happy to come to work every day.”
Slegers hasn't made wholesale changes to Eidevall's previous system, but it's the small changes that have made the biggest impact. The decision to play Steph Catley at centre-back on a permanent basis has helped Arsenal become formidable as the Australian continues to work seamlessly alongside Williamson in the heart of defence. After scoring a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, Catley made Pernille Harder look anonymous at Meadow Park.
Under Eidevall, fans began to forget the broadcasting talent this side possesses. Now, the Gunners look like their spirit alone can get them over the line against almost any opposition.
If an eleven game unbeaten run and a win over Bayern Munich isn't enough to sell the Arsenal staff on 'Reneesaince' then perhaps the club should rethink their fabled search for the perfect manager and realize their best option is already in the pit.
Slegers has done many things right since taking over at Arsenal, but the biggest impact of all has come from Alessia Russo. After a dry spell that saw him scoreless in the first eight games of the 2024/25 campaign, Russo's equalizer against Bayern was his 10th in 11 consecutive games.
This is the striker that all Arsenal and England fans have been clamoring for and are finally starting to see him shine. Russo looks unstoppable, rattling the net like a breeze.
We saw glimpses of this ruthlessness in her last season with Manchester United, but nothing like we are seeing now. Forwards rely heavily on confidence in order to perform at their best, and Russo is brimming with it.
Manchester City's last seven days have catalysed many doubts about the depth and talent of the squad. The Cityzens were beaten by Everton in the Women's Super League (WSL), before traveling to Barcelona for another toothless display.
If it wasn't for the individual brilliance of goalkeeper Khiara Keating, it's safe to assume Barcelona could have been 5-0 up inside just the first 45 minutes. Without Vivianne Miedema, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and captain Alex Greenwood, it's impossible not to have some sympathy for this hometown side.
However, another club in England is facing its own problems. Chelsea are without Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Mia Fishel, and recently lost defender Kadeisha Buchanan to an ACL injury while in the form of her life. The Blues also traveled to Real Madrid without Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who has been key to their success this season.
Injury-hit Arsenal managed to qualify from Man City in the 2022/23 season, stealing third place and a place in the Champions League despite injuries to Leah Williamson (ACL), Beth Mead (ACL), Vivianne Miedema (ACL), Lia Wälti and Kim Little as the season wound down.
Injuries are part of football and City's difficult week is a clear indication that the squad lacks depth in all areas. However, it's not the first time we've seen it happen.
In the driving seat to win the WSL title last season, an injury to Shaw was enough to derail City's season completely. Taylor often tries to look for a plan B and often relies heavily on moments of individual brilliance.
This injury crisis will be a big cover for the bigger issue at hand, which is City's ongoing struggle to bounce back from any sign of disaster.
Another questionable show. saw Chelsea fall behind early against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, however, in true Blues fashion, they got the job done.
Sonia Bompastor's side have great strength in numbers and the player who shone the most against Las Blancas was striker Catarina Macario.
The US women's national team forward should have had a first double before her goals finally happened, with two errors leaving Real Madrid gasping for breath. Macario was brilliant, with sheer strength and composure, the 25-year-old made Chelsea look possible in the final third.
Two penalties scored by the American were enough to get the Blues over the line in a 2-1 victory, but the spot-kicks carry a story of their own. Hammering both shots into the upper right corner is something only a world class player would dare to do twice.
A strong testament to the powerful depth of Chelsea's squad, Macario was able to lead the line alongside Mayra Ramirez and ensure Sam Kerr's absence was barely felt.
With the final matches of the Women's Champions League group stage wrapped up, fans are waiting until February 7 to find out who their team will face in the quarter-finals.
The next phase will begin on March 18/19, meaning fans will have less than six weeks to plan their European trips to go and support their club. With the group stage done and dusted, why is UEFA extending the draw for another month and a half?
An earlier draw would provide clubs with ample opportunity to drive ticket sales and create buzz in what is sure to be an epic quarter-final stage. Women's football deserves to be played on the biggest stage and football bodies should have their sights set on this.
Manchester City have a 2/3 chance to face one of their WSL rivals in the next round, having finished second in their group. The team will join Chelsea, Lyon and Arsenal. As for the London contenders, Arsenal will face one of Real Madrid, VfL Wolsburg or Man City. The Blues will be drawn against Bayern Munich, VfL Wolfsburg or Man City.