Women’s football
As of: February 20, 2026 12:06 a.m
The VfL Wolfburg footballers survived the play-offs and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. After the 2-2 draw in the first leg, coach Stephan Lerch’s team won 2-0 (1-0) at Juventus Turin.
The “Wolfs”, who have to play in the top Bundesliga game against Bayern Munich on Sunday (4.20 p.m.), gave the right answer to the setback against Essen. And at the same time they continued their successful streak: whenever the Lower Saxony team qualified for the Champions League group phase, they also reached at least the quarter-finals. France’s record champions OL Lyonnes will be waiting there on March 24th (H) and April 1st (A).
Vivien Endemann was responsible for making it to the top eight this time. The 24-year-old, who has just been called up to the German national team again, had her team celebrating in the 18th minute. Cora Zicai made the decision deep into stoppage time. The absence of Alexandra Popp and Lena Lattwein (both ill) was of no consequence after the 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Endemann refines a perfect counterattack
The game began with a moment of shock for the “Wolfs”. When Juve captain Barbara Bonansea tried to take a harmless shot, goalkeeper Stina Johannes let the ball slip through her fingers. But the people in front of them were able to clear things up (2nd). Otherwise, not much happened in the sparsely occupied large Turin stadium for a good quarter of an hour.
But the guests only needed one chance to take the lead – on the counterattack. Ella Peddemors and Endemann drove the ball forward. Peddemors sent Svenja Huth, whose pass fell perfectly into Endemann’s path. And the left winger showed no nerves in front of the goal – 1-0 (18th).
Wolfsburg doesn’t allow much
Another Endemann shot was blocked at the last moment (23′). Afterwards, Juve spoke up again. First Janina Minge cleared a dangerous cross (25′). Seconds later, Johannes made up for her mistake from the start with a strong save in the short corner against Cecilia Salvai. But it was nothing more than a Juventus flash in the pan. VfL largely had their opponents under control in the first half.
Latte saves for Wolfsburg, Beerensteyn misses
However, success rested on shaky ground. When the Italians got up to speed in their game, Wolfsburg struggled. VfL narrowly missed the equalizer after just under an hour: Caitlin Dijkstra blocked a shot in desperate need, and seconds later Ana Capeta hit the crossbar with an overhead kick (56′). And when Amalie Vangsgaard shot, Johannes held on to the lead with a strong save (70′).
But the Wolfsburg women were also able to improve again. Lineth Beerensteyn in particular provided relief. After a nice turn around her opponent, she narrowly missed the ball (60th). With a powerful shot from full speed, the Dutchwoman forced her countrywoman Danielle de Jong to make a flying pass in the Juventus goal (62′). Camilla Küver also had a good header chance after a free kick (64′).
VfL women withstand Juve’s pressure
However, Turin then increased the pressure from minute to minute. VfL coach Lerch certainly tried to make offensive changes – and brought in some fresh players. But that didn’t change the fact that the Wolfsburg women were tied down at the back in the final phase and the lead started to wobble.
The defense worked too slowly with its legs and in its heads. Joker Cristiana Girelli narrowly missed the goal (78th). Johannes just wiped a shot from Paulina Krumbiegel over the crossbar (87′).
In the end, the “She-Wolves” withstood the pressure. Zicai finally put the final point with a shot under the crossbar for the “Goal of the Month” mark in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time and ensured a happy but hard-earned VfL victory.
