PSG, Inter Milan Survive Thrillers to Knock Out Former Champions in Women’s Champions League

By Dorcas Francis Koji

Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan secured dramatic victories on Wednesday to eliminate former champions Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg respectively from the Women’s Champions League in a thrilling final qualifying round.

PSG produced a stunning extra-time comeback against 10-player Frankfurt, with Sakina Karchaoui scoring twice as the French side eventually sealed a 6-2 aggregate victory.

The German visitors had fallen behind in Paris but were handed a major setback in the 66th minute when Australia forward Hayley Raso was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Despite being reduced to 10 players, Frankfurt refused to surrender. Sweden international Rebecka Blomqvist equalised 10 minutes later to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate and force the contest into extra time.

However, Frankfurt could not maintain their resistance as PSG took control during the additional 30 minutes, scoring four times to complete a remarkable victory.

Karchaoui said PSG’s determination to qualify for the league phase played a major role in their response.

“We really wanted to win at home. I couldn’t see myself playing a year without the Champions League,” she said.

The France international added that the extra-time battle was ultimately decided by mental strength and character.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan produced another dramatic comeback against Wolfsburg after losing the first leg 2-0 in Germany.

A late goal from Elisa Polli in Milan forced extra time after Inter had matched Wolfsburg’s 2-0 first-leg advantage over the opening 90 minutes.

Wolfsburg appeared to regain control when Poland’s Weronika Arasniewicz restored their advantage during extra time, but Inter continued to push until Bosnian defender Marija Milinkovic struck in stoppage time to make it 3-3 on aggregate and send the tie to penalties.

Inter eventually prevailed 5-4 in the shootout after Wolfsburg’s Mara Alber missed her attempt, while Ivana converted the decisive penalty to send the Italian side through.

The result ended Wolfsburg’s hopes of returning to the competition’s league phase. The German club won back-to-back Women’s Champions League titles in 2013 and 2014.

Elsewhere, Chelsea booked their place in the league phase after defeating Real Sociedad 1-0 away from home to complete a 6-2 aggregate victory.

Real Madrid also progressed after beating Ajax 2-1 in the second leg for a 4-1 aggregate triumph, while Juventus hammered Sankt Poelten 4-1 after a 1-1 draw in the return leg.

Switzerland’s Servette, Denmark’s Koge and Belgian side Leuven also secured places in the league phase.

The league phase is scheduled to begin on September 22, with the draw set to take place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday.

Frankfurt, despite their elimination, remain one of the most decorated clubs in the history of European women’s football, having won the competition four times in 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2015. Their first three triumphs came during the UEFA Women’s Cup era.

With two-time champions Wolfsburg also eliminated, the latest qualifying round has already produced major surprises ahead of the league phase.