Chelsea are one win away from securing direct passage to the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League after thrashing Roma 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Sonia Bompastor’s side were in need of a victory to keep their fate in their own hands after dropping points against Twente and Barcelona, and they achieved it in emphatic fashion, thumping their Italian visitors who are now eliminated.
It was also a welcome result coming as it did in the team’s first match since losing their 34-match unbeaten Women’s Super League record against Everton on Sunday.
The hosts took the lead after Valentina Bergamaschi inadvertently headed the ball past her own goalkeeper in the first half. Wieke Kaptein and Rytting Kaneryd added further goals for Chelsea to essentially settle the game by half-time.
Sjoeke Nusken converted a penalty she had earned herself to make it 4-0, with Maika Hamano and Lucy Bronze rounding off the scoring in the final 15 minutes to complete the rout.
Manchester United crashed to a 3-0 defeat by Lyon after being comprehensively outplayed by the Champions League heavyweights at Leigh Sports Village.
Melchie Dumornay struck twice and Tabitha Chawinga was also on target as the eight-time champions of Europe secured second place in the league-phase table.
Barcelona remain top of the standings after beating Benfica 3-1 at Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Ewa Pajor opened the scoring for the Catalan giants in the 29th minute, her 15th goal in 16 appearances at this stage of the competition.
Chandra Davidson levelled a minute into the second half, Benfica’s first goal in three trips to Barcelona having previously suffered 9-0 and 5-0 thrashings.
A Christy Ucheibe own goal restored Barcelona’s lead in the 54th minute before Laia Aleixandri completed the scoring four minutes later.
In Madrid, Pernille Harder's second half double looked to have sealed a comeback win for Bayern Munich after Vilde Boee Risa had given Atletico an early lead. However, Fiamma Benitez struck late for the home side to salvage a 2-2 draw.
In the night's other game, Lorena Azzaro's 82nd minute goal gave Paris FC a 1-0 win away to Vaalarenga, the French side securing their first points of the campaign.
