Matildas to face-off in Uefa Champions League challenge

The quartet of Matildas left in the Uefa Women's Champions League have learned their paths to the final with the quarter-final draw being made.

Sam Kerr.
Sam Kerr.

Although Sam Kerr will miss the rest of the European season through injury, four Matildas remain in the continent's premier club competition and all are likely to have been reasonably happy with their fate in the Uefa Women's Champions League's quarter-final draw.

Larissa Crummer's Brann were handed the toughest task, against holders Barcelona. But realistically the modest Brann-based Norwegian team have already over-achieved having come through three qualifying rounds just to reach the group stage.

The glamour tie is thus one to look forward too even if they will not be able to play at Camp Nou, which is being rebuilt.

Aivi Luik's Swedish club BK Hacken were drawn against Clare Hunt's Paris St Germain in a match-up both sides will feel they can win. PSG will be favourites but Hacken beat Real Madrid and drew at Kerr's Chelsea in the group stages.

Whoever does emerge from that tie is likely to face Ellie Carpenter's Lyon in the semi-final. Lyon will be strong favourites to beat a Benfica team making their last eight debut - the first Portuguese team to get this far.

Eight-time winners Lyon last reached the final in 2022, when Carpenter was carried off on a stretcher 15 minutes into a match against Barcelona won by the French side 3-1

The draw, made on Tuesday by former Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Melbourne City striker Jodie Taylor, also paired Chelsea with Ajax of Amsterdam.

The final will be held in Spain at the San Mames Stadium, home of Athletic Bilbao, on May 25.

QUARTER-FINALS (March 19-20, 27-28)

Barcelona v SK Brann

Lyon v Benfica

Chelsea v Ajax

Paris St Germain v BK Hacken

SEMI-FINALS (April 20-21, 27-28.)

SK Brann/Barcelona v Ajax/Chelsea

Benfica/Lyon v Hacken/PSG