Chelsea handed UWCL bonus as Barcelona defeat Wolfsburg in Eindhoven | OneFootball

Chelsea will start their UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign in the group stage in 2023/2024 after FC Barcelona came from two goals down to defeat German club VfL Wolfsburg 3-2 in this season’s final in Eindhoven this afternoon.

The Blues needed a favour from Barcelona to avoid having to qualify for next season’s group stage and they got it, albeit in the most frantic fashion.

Barcelona were the red-hot favourites to win this afternoon’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final at the Philips Stadium, home of PSV Eindhoven, but they found themselves 1-0 down after just three minutes. VfL Wolfsburg forward Ewa Pajor robbed Barcelona full-back Lucy Bronze of the ball before advancing towards goal and curling a shot into the top corner of the net.

Irene Paredes and Caroline Graham Hansen then missed guilt-edged chances for Barcelona before the Catalan club found themselves 2-0 down when Alexandra Popp headed home a Pajor cross.

Despite facing a two-goal deficit, Barcelona are a team packed full of quality and they turned the game on its head within the first six minutes of the second half. First, Patricia Guijarro converted from a Graham Hansen pass before the same player headed home following a cross from the right two minutes later to level the scores.

VfL Wolfsburg steadied themselves and regained some composure, however, they were punished for some sloppy play 20 minutes from time. The She-Wolves gave away cheap possession just a few yards out from their own goal and the ball eventually found its way to Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfö who calmly placed her shot into the net.

Barcelona went on to seal a second UEFA Women’s Champions League title while there will be some cheers back in England with Chelsea having two games less to play in Europe next season.