Wednesday showed how unforgiving the league phase can be. Wolfsburg turned set pieces and width into a 4-0 statement over PSG. In Austria, Atlético smashed St. Pölten 6-0. In Madrid, Real overwhelmed Roma 6-2. Manchester United managed their moment with structure and nerve, and Chelsea discovered how stubborn Twente can be when the Dutch champions get their block right.
Wolfsburg 4-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Wolfsburg seized control early and never let go. An own goal from PSG under pressure at a corner put the hosts in front inside ten minutes, and Ella Peddemors doubled the lead before the interval, finishing after Svenja Huth created the angle in the box. PSG tried to accelerate after the break but could not break Wolfsburg’s rest defence or pin the full backs. Alexandra Popp killed the jeopardy at 90 with a poacher’s finish, and Janina Minge added a stoppage-time penalty for the full stop. What decided it was repeatability: cross-field switches that pinned PSG’s wide players, first contacts at set pieces, and second-ball control that prevented counters. For the French side, this is an early alarm; for Wolfsburg, it is the kind of authoritative start that sets tone for the section.
St. Pölten 0-6 Atlético Madrid
Atlético’s return to Europe arrived like a flood at the NV Arena. An early strike settled nerves, then Andrea Medina and Luany stretched the score before the half. Vilde Bøe Risa’s long-range finish made it four and the pattern hardened: wide rotations opening cut-back lanes, full backs providing constant overlaps, and the front line attacking the six-yard line in waves. St. Pölten struggled to track runners between the lines and never found a way to slow the tempo. Fiamma Benítez applied the late polish with a penalty and a close-range header, a reward for her non-stop work across the last line. The margin reflected control as much as attacking quality. Atlético’s counterpress meant shots turned into second shots, and their spacing protected transitions so the scoreboard never felt in doubt.
Real Madrid 6-2 Roma
Real Madrid mixed aggression with control and turned chances into a rout. Caroline Weir’s timing from midfield produced a brace and framed the night, while Alba Redondo matched it with a striker’s double that bookended the first-half swings. After the restart, Maëlle Lakrar reacted first to a loose ball to stretch the margin, and Eva Navarro capped things late following another vertical surge. Madrid were direct when the lane appeared, patient when it did not, and relentless on rebounds. Roma’s two replies kept the game honest, but the visitors could not steady the flanks or win enough second balls to slow the flow. It was the kind of high-output performance that settles early questions and signals that Madrid’s attacking options run deep.
Manchester United 1-0 Vålerenga
A debut win built on structure and calm. United’s opener arrived on 31 minutes when captain Maya Le Tissier converted from the spot after a handball. From there, Marc Skinner’s side managed risk cleanly. The block narrowed at the right moments, full backs picked their overlaps, and Phallon Tullis-Joyce handled what leaked through. Vålerenga carried transition threat and forced a couple of late alarms, but United’s rotations and bench energy closed the game down. It was not expansive, and did not need to be. On night one of the league phase the job is to bank points, protect the clean sheet, and leave with a platform. United did all three.
FC Twente 1-1 Chelsea
Twente’s plan was clear and well executed in Enschede. They absorbed pressure in a compact mid-block, then landed a clean punch on 63 minutes when captain Danique van Ginkel bent a precise finish into the top corner. Chelsea turned the screw and drew level seven minutes later when Sandy Baltimore tucked away a penalty won by Guro Reiten. The closing phase became crosses, underlaps, and territory for the visitors against a disciplined box. Twente’s keeper and centre-backs won enough first contacts to keep the night level. For the Dutch champions it is a creditable point and proof that their defensive structure scales to this level. For Chelsea it is a workable start, but also a reminder that away nights in the league phase punish any lull in final-third sharpness.
Table impact and what’s next
Wolfsburg and Real Madrid make early noise at the top of their sections. Atlético’s goal difference could matter later. United’s clean opener buys runway for tougher assignments. Chelsea’s draw keeps the floor stable but raises the bar they will need to clear on the road. Next week puts early pressure on PSG to respond and asks whether Twente’s blueprint holds outside Enschede.