Women’s Champions League draw LIVE: Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal learn quarter-final opponents
Progress for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City means there are three English clubs in the quarter-finals for the first time under the new format
Chelsea will face Manchester City in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, while Arsenal take on Real Madrid.
City will host the first leg against the Women’s Super League leaders before heading to London to face Sonia Bompastor’s side in the second leg, following the Women’s League Cup final between the teams on Saturday 15 March. The first leg will be played on 18/19 March, with the return leg a week later on 26/27 March. The teams are also scheduled to meet in the WSL on Sunday 23 March.
The winner of the all-English clash between Chelsea and Manchester City could face Barcelona in the semi-finals, with the holders taking on Wolfsburg in their quarter-final. Chelsea have been knocked out by Barcelona in each of the last two seasons, as well as in the 2021 final, with the Spanish side going on to lift the trophy on all three occasions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will play Real Madrid on the other side of the draw. Should the Gunners return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2023, they will play either Bayern Munich or Lyon for a place in the Lisbon final on Saturday 24 May. There are three English teams through to the quarter-finals for the first time since the group stage format was introduced in 2021.
Follow updates from the Women’s Champions League draw in the live blog, below:
How does the Women’s Champions League draw work?
The four group winners will be drawn against runners-up from a different group in the quarter-finals. The group winners will be seeded and will play at home in the second leg. The draw then repeats for the semi-final, where no teams are seeded. There is no country protection at any stage of the knockout draw.
Women's Champions League draw LIVE
There are a few montages played – one for each team left – and we’re nearing the draw now.
Former Portugal international Carla Couto will help carry out the draw alongside Nadine Kessler (Uefa’s head of women’s football).
Women's Champions League draw LIVE
The draw ceremony has indeed begun on time, with a small speech to start.
Women's Champions League draw LIVE
The draw is scheduled to begin in around five minutes, though it remains to be seen whether Uefa will stick to the planned timings.
The contenders: Chelsea
Sonia Bompastor’s side have picked up from where they left off under former coach Emma Hayes, and remain England’s dominant side.
However, Chelsea have been unable to replicate their domestic success on the European stage, having never won the Champions League – though they did lose the final in 2021.
The Blues are bidding to become just the second English side to win the competition after Arsenal in 2006/07, and while Emma Hayes’ side were unlucky to lose to Barcelona in controversial circumstances in the semi-finals last year, evidence suggests they could go one better this season under Bompastor.
The contenders: Lyon
The French side are the most successful in the competition’s history, winning it eight times (most recently in 2022).
Last season’s runners-up are second-favourites once more this season, led by former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg as well as France star Kadidiatou Diani and Mali’s Tabitha Chawinga.
The French champions lead the league by seven points at present.
The contenders: Barcelona
Last year’s winners Barcelona are the most successful team in the competition’s recent history, having won the tournament in 2021, 2023 and 2024 (as well as being runners-up in 2022).
Led by Ballon d’or holder Aitana Bonmati, the Catalan club are once again favourites this season, as they bid to become just the second club to win three titles in a row.
Last season, they beat Lyon 2-0 in the final thanks to goals from Bonmati and fellow Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
Who are the favourites for this year's title?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Barcelona are the overwhelming bookies’ favourites to win this year’s Champions League, with the holders priced as low as 11/8.
Last season’s runners-up Lyon are second favourites, with Chelsea priced in third.
Arsenal and Manchester City are the outside shouts, with the Gunners slightly favoured at present.
Khadija Shaw pulls out of Man City match after suffering racist and misogynistic abuse
Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw withdrew from her team’s League Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Thursday night after suffering racist and misogynistic abuse.
The club’s record goalscorer and reigning PFA Player of the Year was sent abusive messages and subjected to “disgusting treatment” following City’s 4-3 home defeat to Arsenal in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
City reported the messages to the police and confirmed that the Jamaica international did not take part in Thursday’s League Cup tie against the same opposition to protect her mental well-being.
Khadija Shaw pulls out of Man City match after racist and misogynistic abuse
Sonia Bompastor dismisses Chelsea quadruple talk after reaching first final
Sonia Bompastor dismissed talk of winning a quadruple with Chelsea after the Blues reached their first final under the French coach.
Chelsea defeated West Ham 2-0 on Wednesday night to progress to their sixth Women’s League Cup final in a row - where they will face either Arsenal or Manchester City.
Chelsea also hold a seven-point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League and are through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League - a trophy they have yet to win.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments