Chelsea through to Women’s Champions League knockouts after big win in Albania against Vllaznia

Chelsea reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League as they defeated Vllaznia 4-0 in Albania.

The Londoners travelled to Eastern Europe knowing that a win could be enough to send them through to the knockout stages of the continent’s premier tournament, but that there was another game to play if they needed it.

The victory ensures that Chelsea are still unbeaten in this year’s competition, and they top Group A with a game in hand.

Chelsea went ahead after 12 minutes when Welsh international midfielder Sophie Ingle opened the scored.

Fran Kirby doubled the lead on 20 minutes, before two late goals secured a four-goal margin. Katerina Svitkova made it three on 87 minutes and then Maren Mjelde converted an injury-time penalty.

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Chelsea have done well to secure qualification as two of the other sides in their group, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, are some of the strongest teams in this year’s Champions League.

On Thursday, fellow WSL side Arsenal also managed to qualify for the next round even though they fell to French side Lyon.

There were three more games to be played on Friday, with Roma hosting St Polten.

There is also the Group A game between PSG and Real Madrid, while VfL Wolfsburg play Slavia Prague.