Chelsea ensured they qualified automatically for the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals as they came from behind to beat Wolfsburg.
Goals from Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr secured the win that gave Chelsea a top-four finish in the league phase.
But it certainly was not easy for the Blues as Wolfsburg were the better side for much of the first half and deservedly took the lead in the 16th minute.
A poor clearance by Chelsea goalkeeper Livia Peng was nodded back towards goal by Janou Levels and Alexandra Popp let the ball bounce in front of her before striking in on the half-volley.
Wolfsburg had chances to further extend their lead but were dealt a blow just before half-time when Bronze equalised, heading in from a corner.
The balance of play switched after that with Chelsea the better side in the second half.
They hit the post through Alyssa Thompson, and Kerr secured the win with a looping header.
The final few minutes became more nervous than they needed to be for Chelsea as they tried to defend their lead and Vivien Endemann hit the bar, but the visitors held firm to guarantee their last-eight spot.
The draw for the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals takes place on Thursday, 18 December (12:00 GMT).
Bronze key to Chelsea turnaround
Chelsea are looking to win the Women’s Champions League for the first time and this result firmly keeps them on course to achieve just that this season.
But this was a tale of two halves, as while their second-half performance made them worthy winners, the first-half display was nervy and littered with mistakes.
Indeed, Wolfsburg could have been out of sight but for two crucial interventions by veteran defender Bronze who first blocked Lineth Beerensteyn’s shot on the line before sliding in at the crucial moment to deny Kessya Bussy.
It was a calming display by the 34-year-old, who then gave her team an even bigger lift with the equaliser. From then on, Chelsea looked likely winners.
The win means Chelsea will not be in European action until March but could face an English opponent in the quarter-finals.
If both Arsenal and Manchester United win their play-off fixtures, then one of them would be guaranteed to face the Blues.
Wolfsburg frustrated after first-half show
This will have been a frustrating result for Wolfsburg given their strong performance in the early stages.
Even aside from the two crucial blocks by Bronze, the German hosts created plenty of chances and played with a confidence and sharpness that had Chelsea often struggling to get out of their own half.
But for whatever reason that all went away after the break, only rediscovering their dominance in injury time as Chelsea retreated to the edge of their own box.
The defeat means Wolfsburg finished ninth in the league phase and will be unseeded for Friday’s draw for the knockout play-offs.
What next for these teams?
It is back to domestic action for both teams as Wolfsburg host Hamburg in the German top flight on Sunday, 21 December (17:00 GMT), while Chelsea play Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Women’s League Cup earlier on the same day (13:00 GMT).
