Elisabeth Terland celebratesImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Elisabeth Terland has scored seven goals in four Champions League qualifying matches

Elisabeth Terland's hat-trick fired Manchester United into the main draw of the Women's Champions League for the first time with victory over Norwegian side Brann.

Following last week's fiasco, when players' boots went missing hours before their 1-0 first-leg defeat in the third qualifying round, this was a far smoother night for United.

Boots all sorted, Marc Skinner's side were in control early on following Terland's quick first-half double, and were never really tested at Leigh Sports Village.

Terland struck the ball first time when she was gifted possession in the box after nine minutes and headed in United's second goal four minutes later from a corner.

She hit the post before half-time but eventually capped a devastating individual performance with her hat-trick goal in the 63rd minute, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen after racing through one-on-one.

It is a historic and significant victory for United, who have come through opponents PSV, Hammarby and Brann in qualifying to book their place in Friday's draw (11:00 BST) alongside English rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Skinner's side have had a positive start to the season, sitting top of the Women's Super League (WSL) table with two wins from two, and although they were shaken up a little by their first-leg defeat by Brann, they finished the job with ease back home.

Bigger challenges will come as Skinner must navigate a more intense schedule than United are used to, balancing Champions League football with the high competition of the WSL - squad depth will be tested.

But this is a step the club have wanted to take for several years and is a sign they are moving in the right direction.

Man Utd analysis: Terland shines as importance grows

Manchester United were far from their best but they did not need to be as Brann gifted them possession on countless occasions and offered very little going forward.

Jess Park saw her effort blocked in the box when United won the ball in midfield, moments before Terland pounced on a loose pass from Ingrid Stenevik to make it 1-0.

Norwegian Terland, who played for Brann between 2021 and 2022, was given too much space on a corner just four minutes later when she peeled off a defender at the back post and nodded in her second goal, putting United ahead on aggregate in the process.

She could have had a hat-trick before the break but curled an effort on to the post as United eased through the game without really imposing themselves.

But her third goal was worth the wait as she ghosted in behind and carried the ball into space, before sliding it past goalkeeper Panengstuen to all but confirm United's aggregate victory.

It caps a strong qualifying campaign for Terland, who has netted seven goals in United's four matches and will hope to play an equally important role in the main draw.

She has been ever present since joining United in 2024, filling the void left by England international Alessia Russo, and they will need her to be at her best against Europe's elite.

Aside from her goals she was intelligent with her movement, tireless out of possession and ruthless when she needed to be.

United, and Terland, will be able to test themselves further against Champions League winners Arsenal on Sunday - the first big test of the WSL season and a marker of the opposition they will have to face now they have accomplished their mission of securing a spot in the main draw.

What's next for both teams?

United host Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday (14:50 BST) hoping to continue their 100% record in the WSL.

Meanwhile, Brann drop into the inaugural Europa Cup, joining the 30 other teams eliminated from the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Player of the match

Number: 10 E. Terland
Average rating 9.22
Number: 10 E. Terland
Average Rating: 9.22
Number: 4 M. Le Tissier
Average Rating: 8.37
Number: 9 M. Malard
Average Rating: 8.32
Number: 7 E. Toone
Average Rating: 8.31
Number: 14 J. Riviere
Average Rating: 8.16
Number: 8 J. Park
Average Rating: 8.08
Number: 18 J. Zigiotti Olme
Average Rating: 7.92
Number: 20 H. Miyazawa
Average Rating: 7.90
Number: 2 A. Sandberg
Average Rating: 7.87
Number: 17 D. Janssen
Average Rating: 7.86
Number: 91 P. Tullis-Joyce
Average Rating: 7.85
Number: 12 F. Rolfö
Average Rating: 7.65
Number: 16 L. Naalsund
Average Rating: 7.54
Number: 28 R. Williams
Average Rating: 7.40
Number: 3 G. George
Average Rating: 7.40

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

A graphic that reads 'Follow our women's football TikTok' with a picture of a mobile phone