Arsenal's Champions League hopes were almost dashed on Thursday morning after a second-half collapse against German side Hoffenheim on the final group-stage match day.
The Gunners conceded three goals in less than five minutes just after half-time with Hoffenheim, who, desperate to keep their own competition run alive, capitalised on a number of defensive errors.
The Germans needed to defeat Arsenal by at least five goals to overtake them in group C and automatically qualify for the knock-out stage, but Arsenal were able to hold on and keep their opponents to a 4-1 win.
It was the latest in a string of losses against big clubs for Arsenal, who lost 4-0 to Barcelona on match day five last week and went down to Chelsea 3-0 in the FA Cup final in early December.
Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley started for the Gunners, moved from her usual left-back position to a central defensive role following her team's collapse, while goalkeeper Lydia Williams also played the full 90 minutes. Australian winger Caitlin Foord was an unused substitute.
Hoffenheim opened the scoring in the 21st minute through 19-year-old German international Jule Brand, who sliced through Arsenal's left-sided defenders and fired past Williams.
Arsenal pulled a goal back just before half-time thanks to an own goal from Laura Wienroither.
The match was poised at 1-1 at the break, but Hoffenheim came out firing in the second half. Chantal Hagel scored a two-minute brace in the 54th and 57th minutes, pouncing upon sloppy Arsenal passing out from the back. Gia Corley added another in the 59th, heading home an easy cross from Brand.
Arsenal could have pulled a goal back in the game's final minutes after striker Vivianne Miedema broke through Hoffenheim's defence, but goalkeeper Martina Tufekovic made an excellent diving stop when the Netherlands forward tried to round her. Kim Little also found herself clear on goal but decided to dribble the ball towards the corner flag instead.
In the end, Arsenal scraped through to the final eight thanks to their superior goal difference.
They will be joined there by reigning champions Barcelona, who eased past winless HB Køge 5-0. The Spanish giants registered 40 shots to Køge's four, 18 corners to one, and almost four times as many passes as their minnow opponents.They move into the knock-out stages having scored 24 goals and conceding just once in six games.
Elsewhere on Thursday, French giants Olympique Lyonnais defeated Swedish side Häcken 4-0 to top group D. Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter started for Lyon and received a yellow card just before the break. Bayern Munich cemented second spot in the group after beating Benfica 4-0.
The final four games of match day six kick off tomorrow morning as PSG host Icelandic side Breiðablik, Real Madrid face Zhytlobud-1, Juventus play Swiss side Servette, and Wolfsburg meet Chelsea in a win-at-all-costs match that will determine who goes through to the next stage.
