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Emily Keogh
Madrid–former winner VfL Wolfsburg had the best chance to reach the top four uefa women’s champions league Table up and earn automatic qualification for the Knockouts. Instead, they gave that opportunity to nine players real MadridWho claimed a 2-0 win and put themselves on the verge of avoiding the knockouts.
It was always going to be a tight encounter, with both sides needing a win in the final game of the league stage. Each had already dropped points – Wolfsburg to Lyon and Real Madrid. armory And paris fc – So everything was still to play for.
Despite finishing the match with nine players, Real Madrid dominated and ultimately frustrated a Wolfsburg team desperate to reclaim their former continental stature. Everything was deployed for Wolfsburg to take control and re-establish its position as one of the powers of Europe. Instead, their wastefulness and lackluster performances told a different story that suggests a turnaround where Real Madrid may well disrupt the established top order.
Maale LakarMadrid lost a player due to two quick yellow cards just before halftime, and iris santiagoA late red card deepened their deficit during long stops, yet Wolfsburg were unable to take advantage.
They started with momentum, but Real Madrid were allowed to settle, which was a costly mistake with a ruthless team like theirs, leading to Maria Mendez Sneaking the opener from a swinging corner. Although Wolfsburg saw more of the ball and created the majority of chances, they lacked composure and clinical ability in the final third and missed time and again.
At the other end, Madrid’s pace on the counter was constantly causing problems. Even after Lacker was dismissed, Wolfsburg failed to use their numerical advantage effectively. Their attacks became hasty, narrow and predictable. Although they had bundles of space with extra bodies, they still looked to be crowded in the same areas, indicating a failure to adjust at halftime.
Linda Casideo Everywhere was extraordinary. After making two great saves from Wolfsburg Stina Johannes Earlier, he doubled Madrid’s lead late in the game in the 67th minute. The bewildered expressions of the Wolfsburg players reflected their frustration at how quickly the momentum was gone and the pendulum had swung against them.
Wolfsburg missed more chances alexandra pop Coming close to the breakthrough through a powerful strike which was well saved by Misa Rodríguez. Meanwhile, Madrid added almost a third when Caroline Weir Another chance created by Caicedo fired from close range.
Madrid closed the match with nine men after Santiago’s straight red card in stoppage time for a reckless challenge on goalkeeper Johannes, but Wolfsburg still could not take advantage. They had 19 shots, six of which were on target, while Madrid had eight, half of which were on target. His slumped posture at the final whistle told the story: a night of missed opportunities and growing frustration.
“We started really well with chances, but it’s disappointing to lose,” the Wolfsburg defender said. know level Said after the match. “If we had converted some of our chances, the game could have been different. We tried to open the game more with an extra player and put in more crosses, but in the end it was difficult to create clear chances. Now we have to be ready to win on home ground chelsea And get a good result. We have to move forward.”
If anyone seems capable of challenging the team’s brutality ol lyonnes Or barcelonaMany believed it was Wolfsburg, especially after their impressive 5–2 win Manchester UnitedWith history on their side and Pop, the club’s all-time top scorer and one of the competition’s most experienced men, they looked set for a resurgence, Instead, they have once again failed, and the campaign that was meant to restore their status among Europe’s elite is rapidly unraveling,
Although both teams have secured a place in the knockouts, their path, whether direct qualification or the playoffs, remains uncertain, with the result having a significant impact on their respective routes.
Real Madrid have temporarily moved into the top four, but with five matches to go on Wednesday, they will now have to wait to see if other results keep them there. It will be difficult to avoid the playoffs, yet they have kept themselves firmly in the competition. Wolfsburg will face Chelsea, Lyon will face Manchester United and United are set to face juventus On the final day – with all teams within striking distance of the top four – Madrid have a real chance of retaining their place.
After several disappointing campaigns, including finishing bottom of the group last season – losing five of their six games and claiming just one point – they have disrupted the expected hierarchy of Barcelona, Lyonesse, Chelsea and Arsenal, reminding Europe that they remain a threat.
For Wolfsburg, the defeat seriously damaged their hopes of automatic qualification. With two defeats in five matches and a decisive meeting with an injured Chelsea side next week, their chances of reaching the top four are slim after their first league defeat in 34 matches.
Once the dominant force in Europe, with two titles and four runner-up finishes between 2012 and 2014, Wolfsburg has fallen short of expectations in recent years. A crushing final defeat to Barcelona in 2023, missing out on qualifying next season and a quarterfinal exit last year have taken away their juggernaut status. This latest setback adds to a growing list of disappointing results, and the only German club to win the competition is now likely to play two additional matches in February.
While Real Madrid will enjoy the moment, their focus will immediately turn to tomorrow’s result, which will determine what they need to achieve against Twente – and what results they need elsewhere – to secure a coveted top-four spot.
