UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarterfinals Set: Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Chelsea Advance
The stage is set for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, with titleholders Arsenal and Real Madrid among the teams securing their spots. The draw has paired Real Madrid with Barcelona, and Arsenal with Chelsea, while Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Bayern Munich await the winners of the remaining play-off ties.
Quarterfinal Matchups
The quarterfinal pairings are as follows:
- Atlético de Madrid / Manchester United – Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid – Barcelona
- Arsenal – Chelsea
- Wolfsburg / Juventus – OL Lyonnes
The first legs are scheduled for March 24/25, with the return legs on April 1/2.
Path to the Quarterfinals
The top four teams from the new league phase – Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich – earned direct entry into the quarterfinals. Teams finishing between 5th and 12th place participated in the play-offs to determine the final four quarterfinalists.
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: A Repeat Encounter
Real Madrid and Barcelona will renew their rivalry in the quarterfinals, having previously met in the 2021/22 edition. Barcelona won that tie 3-1 away and 5-2 at home, with a then-world record crowd of 91,553 in attendance. Recent encounters have favored Barcelona, with wins in the league, Supercopa final, and Copa de la Reina quarterfinals this season. A league match is as well scheduled between the two sides in Madrid between the two legs of the quarterfinal tie.
Real Madrid’s Journey
- League Stage: Finished 7th
- Playoff Stage: 5-2 aggregate win against Paris FC (3-2 away, 2-0 home)
- Top Scorer (League Stage): Caroline Weir (5 goals)
Barcelona’s Dominance
- League Stage: Finished 1st
- Top Scorer: Ewa Pajor (4 goals)
Arsenal vs. Chelsea: A London Derby
The clash between Arsenal and Chelsea marks the first time two teams from the same city have met in the history of UEFA women’s club competitions. Arsenal secured their spot after a 7-1 aggregate victory over OH Leuven in the playoffs (4-0 away, 3-1 home). In Women’s Super League play this season, Arsenal drew 1-1 at home against Chelsea and won 2-0 away, marking their first victory over Chelsea since December 2023 and their first away win against them since 2018.
Arsenal’s Campaign
- League Stage: Finished 5th
- Playoff Stage: 7-1 aggregate win against OH Leuven (4-0 away, 3-1 home)
- Top Scorer: Alessia Russo (7 goals)
Chelsea’s Strength
- League Stage: Finished 3rd
- Top Scorer: Sam Kerr (3 goals)
Remaining Play-off Implications
OL Lyonnes will face either Juventus or Wolfsburg, having drawn with both teams during the league stage. Bayern Munich will play the winner of the Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United tie.
Semi-Final and Final Details
The semi-finals are scheduled for April 25/26 and May 2/3, culminating in a single-match final at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on May 23, 2026.