Arsenal secure spot in Women's Champions League knockout play-offs

Defending champions Arsenal clinched at least a place in the knockout play-offs of the Women's Champions League on Tuesday thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory against Dutch outfit Twente.

England's Beth Mead netted the decisive goal just 10 minutes into the match as Renee Slegers' team builds momentum following their two defeats in the first three league phase fixtures.

This third success of the season lifted Arsenal to sixth position in the table with just one round of games left and they remain one point adrift of the top four.

Mead described a top-four placement as Arsenal's "aim".

"We need to claim three points next week (against Leuven)," she stated to Disney+.

"Our previous campaign had its highs and lows, but these situations can be reversed. We simply aim to end the Champions League season on a high note with a victory."

The top four teams in the standings advance directly to the quarter-finals while positions five through 12 must navigate a two-legged play-off to reach the last eight.

Real Madrid hold third place after a 2-0 triumph over Germany's Wolfsburg on home soil.

Maria Mendez nodded in the first goal on 19 minutes before her defensive colleague Maelle Lakrar received a second yellow card during added time in the opening half.

Linda Caicedo added a superb individual strike with 23 minutes to go securing crucial points for the Spanish side who were down to nine players following the late sending-off of 18-year-old replacement Iris Santiago.

Paris Saint-Germain without a win managed only a 0-0 stalemate at Parc des Princes against Belgium's Leuven.

This initial point in the league phase failed to prevent their exit as they lag four points behind local competitors Paris FC who occupy the last play-off position.

In the earlier match Juventus surged to second with a 5-0 thrashing of St Poelten in Austria where skipper Cristiana Girelli converted two penalties.

On Wednesday leaders Barcelona begin life in Europe sans women's Ballon d'Or recipient Aitana Bonmati who broke her leg representing Spain as they face Benfica at home.

Manchester United in seventh host fourth-placed Lyon while England's title holders Chelsea sitting ninth entertain struggling Roma at Stamford Bridge.