Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea reach Women’s Champions League quarter-finals

Barcelona and Lyon clinched places in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, while Chelsea came from behind to beat Wolfsburg and qualify directly for the last eight.

Holders Arsenal must go through the play-offs along with Manchester United after missing out on a top-four finish, as Bayern Munich pinched the final automatic quarter-final berth.

Spanish champions Barcelona finished top of the league phase unbeaten after a 2-0 win away to Paris FC, with Vicky Lopez and Caroline Graham Hansen scoring in the French capital.

This season’s format is similar to the men’s competition, with the top four teams in the league phase qualifying for the quarter-finals and clubs placed fifth to 12th going into a knockout play-off round.

Lyon thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 with a penalty from captain Wendie Renard and goals from Kadidiatou Diani and Korbin Shrader. Vilde Boe Risa’s own goal gave Lyon the lead before Atletico were reduced to 10 players.

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Chelsea won 2-1 away to Wolfsburg to take third place. Alexandra Popp opened the scoring for the Germans but headers from Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr ensured the Blues went through to the quarter-finals.

Bayern eased to a 3-0 win over Norwegians Valerenga to edge Arsenal and United to fourth place by a point.

The draw for the knockout phase takes place on Thursday.

Arsenal could face an instant rematch with Leuven or play Atletico in a two-legged play-off. United will take on whichever side the Gunners do not.

The Star