The UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers saw a night of exhilarating action, with dominant performances and dramatic finishes.
VfL Wolfsburg, the two-time champions, showcased their power and finesse as they ruthlessly dismantled Fiorentina with a 5-0 victory at home. The German side, who had already secured a 7-0 away win in the first leg, continued their offensive onslaught with Dutch striker Fenna Kalma finding the back of the net just three minutes into the game. The commanding performance resulted in a 12-0 aggregate win, propelling Wolfsburg into the group stage.
Meanwhile, Swedish side Hammarby pulled off a remarkable comeback against Benfica. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Stockholm, Hammarby found themselves on the back foot early in the match. However, winger Julie Blakstad scored to give her team the lead. The game seemed destined for extra time until the fifth minute of stoppage time when fellow Norwegian Cathinka Tandberg netted the decisive goal, securing a 3-2 aggregate win and sending Hammarby into the next round.
The night also saw victories for other Norwegian and Turkish teams. Oslo club Valerenga secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Anderlecht, securing a 5-1 aggregate victory. In a tense match against Sparta Prague, Turkish side Galatasaray emerged victorious after extra time, winning 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate. These victories highlight the growing strength and competitiveness within the women’s Champions League, adding further excitement to the competition’s upcoming stages.
