Defending champions Arsenal took a big step towards the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League after beating OH Leuven 4-0 in the first leg of their knockout play-off on Wednesday.
Fresh from victory in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup on February 1, Arsenal dominated from the start in Belgium and moved closer to a quarter-final against London rivals Chelsea.
Frida Maanum shone with a brace, while Olivia Smith justified the record fee Arsenal paid Liverpool for her in July with a fine goal. Kim Little also marked a milestone when she came off the bench to make her 400th appearance for the club.
Arsenal opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Maanum headed in Caitlin Foord’s cross from the right. Smith doubled the lead 15 minutes later, finishing clinically in the far corner with a first low goal. Maanum added her second goal early in the second half, again set up by Foord, before substitute Alessia Russo completed the rout with her fifth goal of the campaign.
The updated format of the Women’s Champions League has introduced a six-round competition phase. The top four teams, Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, qualified directly for the quarter-finals, while the teams ranked fifth through twelfth entered the play-off round. Arsenal finished fifth, while Leuven finished twelfth in its first season in Europe’s top competition. The teams had already met in the league stage, with Arsenal winning 3–0.
Real Madrid has the upper hand
French striker Naomie Feller (R) of Real Madrid and Norwegian midfielder Nora Harnes Haheim (C) of Paris FC fight for the ball during the UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout round play-off match at the Stade Charlety in Paris. | Photo credit: AFP
French striker Naomie Feller (R) of Real Madrid and Norwegian midfielder Nora Harnes Haheim (C) of Paris FC fight for the ball during the UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout round play-off match at the Stade Charlety in Paris. | Photo credit: AFP
In the other play-off on Wednesday, Real Madrid remained on course for a potential all-Spanish quarter-final against three-time champions Barcelona after a 3-2 win over Paris FC in France.
Madrid fell behind early, but turned the game around before half time. Caroline Weir equalized in the 39th minute and Athenea gave Madrid the lead just before half time. Linda Caicedo made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute before Maeline Mendy pulled back the deficit late on to keep Paris level.
Paris had taken the lead through Kaja Korošec, who scored from a corner.
The remaining play-off first legs, Wolfsburg vs. Juventus and Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United, are played on Thursday.
Published on February 12, 2026
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