Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterStina Blackstenius late winner against Everton lifted Arsenal above Chelsea into second place in the Womens Super League, setting up a decisive final day for European places.Arsenal now need just a draw against Liverpool to secure second, sitting two points ahead of Chelsea, with a superior goal difference of 14.With both sides already guaranteed European football next season, why does the order between second and third matter?Latest Videos From You may like Could Arsenal miss out on European football? How to watch Chelsea v Arsenal - Free Streams, TV Details for UWCL quarter-final How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea - Free Streams, TV Details for UWCL quarter-final Path to the Champions LeagueFrom the 2025/26 season, the Womens Champions League adopted a new League Phase format, replacing the group stage and mirroring the mens competition.The League Phase will include 18 teams, with qualification determined by domestic league performance and UEFA coefficients. England are currently top of the coefficient rankings, so the WSL is allocated three places. However, only the league champions this season, Manchester City qualify automatically for the League Phase. That leaves Arsenal and Chelsea heading into qualification.The key difference: second vs thirdWhile both second and third place enter the same qualification league path, their starting points are very different.Second place enters in the third qualifying roundThird place enters in the second qualifying roundThe earlier entry for third place creates a much tougher route.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Third place must first navigate a mini-tournament, winning a semi-final and final, just to reach the next stage.Only then do they face a two-legged play-off against another European opponent - winning that, secures them Champions League football.Second place skips that initial hurdle and goes straight into the final qualifying round. What to read next Arsenal's fixture list quirk and player giveaway revealed Alex Scott on Chelsea-Arsenal rivalry in Women's Champions League quarter-final Alex Scott says Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United's Champions League displays are perfect WSL advert Why it mattersThere is no doubt that finishing second gives you a much easier route to the Champions League.With qualification rounds taking place in August, teams face a baptism of fire, with their most important matches arriving before the domestic season has even begun.We have seen WSL sides unpredictably knocked out in the preliminary qualification rounds on many occasions - Arsenal and Manchester United both fell in these rounds in 2023, beaten by Paris FC and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.Although English sides have successfully navigated qualification in the past two seasons, with three WSL teams reaching the League Phase and beyond, the margin for error in these knockout qualifiers is slim.Arsenal will be fighting hard to ensure they secure the vital result that will give them a second-placed finish.TOPICSArsenal WomenChelsea WomenWSLAyisha GulatiWomen's Football WriterAyisha Gulati is the women's football writer at FourFourTwo. Fresh from a summer covering the Lionesses triumphant Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland, she brings a passion for all things WSL, UWCL, and international womens football. She has interviewed names including Alessia Russo and Aitana Bonmati and enjoys telling stories that capture the excitement on and off the pitch.
