UWCL Matchday 3 Round-Up: Barça, Lyon & United Set the Pace as Arsenal Falter

Vålerenga claimed their first-ever group-stage victory in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a hard-fought 1–0 away win over Roma.

The Norwegian side started with purpose and caused Roma problems from the outset. Their breakthrough came in the 40th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Stine Brekken. Picking up the ball midway inside the Roma half, she nutmegged Sara Rieke, drove forward with intent, and curled a brilliant strike into the top corner – a goal worthy of winning any match.

After the break, Roma emerged with more urgency and dominated possession. However, despite a flurry of long-range efforts, they failed to seriously test Tove Enblom in the Vålerenga goal. The visitors stayed compact and disciplined to see out the result.

With this win, Vålerenga leap into the playoff places and will carry momentum into their next match at home to bottom-placed St. Pölten. For Roma, pressure is mounting. They’ve now lost three from three, and a trip to surprise package OH Leuven has become a must-win.

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Lyon maintained their perfect start to the UWCL group stage with a dominant 3–1 win over previously unbeaten Wolfsburg.

From the first whistle, it was one-way traffic. The French side flew out of the blocks, hitting the bar inside three minutes and pinning Wolfsburg deep. Ada Hegerberg broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, reacting quickest to poke home after Heeps’ long-range free-kick cannoned back off the woodwork. Just five minutes later, she made it two, glancing in a precise header from Selma Bacha’s deep delivery.

Wolfsburg were overwhelmed throughout and fortunate to go into the break only two down. Their best chance came just before half-time when Beerensteyn rifled a shot against the post after a rare break forward.

Lyon extended their lead midway through the second half. Wendie Renard calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after Dumornay was pulled down by Lattwein in the area. Although Wolfsburg pulled one back on 80 minutes – Beerensteyn finishing smartly on the counter – it was their only attempt on target all night.

It’s another statement win from Lyon, who now top the group with nine points from three. Next up: a trip to Turin. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, drop out of the automatic qualification places and prepare to host Manchester United.

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Real Madrid rescued a point at the death to draw 1–1 with Paris FC in a tense group-stage clash at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Although Madrid dominated early possession, it was the visitors who carved out the first big chance. Le Moguedec found herself unmarked in the box with just the keeper to beat, but squandered the opportunity with a scuffed finish. Madrid continued to press, and Caicedo came closest – first rattling the bar with a dazzling solo effort, then forcing a fine save from Chavas minutes later.

Yet it was Paris FC who struck first, just before the break. Against the run of play, Lorena Assaro converted from the penalty spot after Angeldahl was penalised for tripping Sheika Scott in the area.

In the second half, Madrid pushed forward with greater urgency, dominating possession once again. However, they found it difficult to break down a resolute and well-organised Paris back line, and were largely restricted to long-range attempts.

Then, deep into stoppage time, came the equaliser. Caroline Weir found space on the edge of the box and curled a composed finish beyond Chavas to rescue a point for the hosts.

The result keeps Real Madrid unbeaten and firmly in contention near the top. They now travel to Arsenal for Matchday 4. For Paris FC, it was heartbreak – and they’ll look to regroup quickly before hosting Bayern.

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Chelsea delivered a ruthless statement of intent, thrashing St. Pölten 6–0 away from home to reignite their campaign in emphatic fashion.

From the first whistle, the gulf in class was stark. Chelsea were relentless, registering a staggering 43 attempts on goal, with 19 on target, and controlling every aspect of the match.

Wieke Kaptein opened the scoring in the 13th minute, tapping in from close range after good work down the right. Although Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead on 31 minutes, VAR ruled it out for offside. Eventually, their pressure told again on the stroke of half-time, as Macario found the bottom corner with a precise finish to make it 2–0.

The second half brought more of the same. Macario added her second from the penalty spot after Thompson was brought down. Sam Kerr then joined the scoresheet with a smart turn and finish in the 75th minute. A Lisa Ebert own goal soon followed, and Kerr completed the rout with a powerful header in stoppage time.

Chelsea could easily have hit double digits. Their toughest test of the group now awaits, with Barcelona visiting Stamford Bridge next week. Meanwhile, St. Pölten remain bottom, still in search of their first point.

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It was certainly a game of two halves at the Allianz Arena as Bayern staged a dramatic second-half comeback, overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Arsenal 3–2.

The visitors dominated from the outset and got off to the perfect start. Emily Fox opened the scoring inside five minutes with a looping header after Maria Grohs had parried a Beth Mead strike into her path. Arsenal doubled their lead midway through the first half, Mariona Caldentey smashing in a brilliant finish from the edge of the area following a slick passing move. At that point, it looked like a routine night for the visitors.

However, the second half belonged entirely to Bayern. Eighteen-year-old Alara Şehitler sparked the comeback in the 67th minute, calmly slotting home after a flowing Bayern move, just five minutes after coming off the bench. Ten minutes later, another substitute, Pernille Harder, levelled the match with an outstanding top-corner finish.

Then, with just four minutes remaining, Bayern captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir completed the turnaround – sliding in at the near post to turn in a dangerous cross from Klara Bühl.

It was a ruthless second-half display from Bayern, with the substitutes making all the difference. Arsenal, by contrast, will be left to rue missed chances and a total collapse in control after the break.

Bayern move to six points and remain firmly in the playoff positions. They travel to face PSG next. Arsenal, hovering precariously above the elimination zone on three points, host Real Madrid in a must-win clash.

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It was a routine night for Barcelona at the Estadi Johan Cruyff as they beat OH Leuven 3–0 to maintain their perfect record in Europe.

The hosts dominated throughout, with the final score flattering the Belgian visitors. Despite Barça recording 18 attempts in the first half alone, it took a penalty in stoppage time to break the deadlock. Alexia Putellas sent the keeper the wrong way after being adjudged to have been fouled by Linda Veefkind – a soft decision, by most standards.

It was much the same after the break. In the 56th minute, Kim Everaerts slid the ball into her own net after a dangerous ball across the face of the goal from Caroline Graham. Ten minutes later, Irene Paredes made it three, sneaking in at the far post to head home from a corner. Job done.

Barcelona’s dominance was clear: 80% possession, 43 shots to Leuven’s zero. The only disappointment for the Spanish champions was that they didn’t score more. Leuven, to their credit, defended bravely and will take some pride from keeping the scoreline respectable.

The result keeps Barcelona top with three wins from three. They travel to face Chelsea in a mouthwatering clash next week. Leuven stay on an impressive four points and return home to host winless Roma.

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