Arsenal confirmed at least a place in the Women’s Champions League knockout play-offs with a narrow but important 1–0 victory over Dutch side Twente on Tuesday.
Beth Mead delivered the decisive moment inside 10 minutes, sealing a win that continues Arsenal’s revival following a difficult start to the league phase in which they lost two of their first three matches. The result marks their third win of the campaign, lifting them to sixth in the standings with one matchday remaining — just one point outside the top four.
Mead remained clear about Arsenal’s ambition:
“A top-four finish is our aim. We need three points next week at Leuven. Last campaign was up and down, but things can turn quickly — we want to end this Champions League year with a win.”
The tournament format sees the top four teams advance directly to the quarterfinals, while fifth to 12th place must navigate a two-legged play-off to reach the last eight. Arsenal are now positioned to secure either route, with their final match likely to prove decisive.
Elsewhere in the competition, Real Madrid strengthened their position in third with a 2–0 win over Wolfsburg. Maria Mendez headed the opener before centre-back partner Maelle Lakrar was sent off following a second booking late in the first half. Despite finishing the match with nine players — after 18-year-old substitute Iris Santiago was also dismissed — Madrid secured victory through a superb Linda Caicedo solo effort.
Paris Saint-Germain, still winless, were held to a 0–0 draw by Leuven at the Parc des Princes. The result earned PSG their first point of the league phase but confirmed their elimination, leaving them four points behind rivals Paris FC, who occupy the final play-off spot.
In Tuesday’s earlier kick-off, Juventus climbed to second with an emphatic 5–0 win over St. Pölten in Austria. Captain Cristiana Girelli scored twice, both from the penalty spot, in a dominant display.
Wednesday’s fixtures bring further key developments:
Arsenal’s job is not done — but they remain firmly in contention, with momentum finally on their side.
