Manchester City ended Chelsea’s 28-game unbeaten run under Sonia Bompastor at the Joie Stadium on Wednesday evening. A second half brace from substitute Vivianne Miedema saw Nick Cushing’s side gain an solid 2-0 advantage after the first leg in their Champions League quarter-final.
There’s a lot to look forward to in 2025 in the world of women’s football. In the first part of our preview, here are some domestic highlights to keep an eye on.
European football came to Leigh Sports Village for the first time on Tuesday as Manchester United made their Champions League bow against PSG. A second half display of character and grit saw Marc Skinner’s team fight back after an abject first half. Tabitha Chawinga had opened the scoring for the visitors, but Melvine Malard’s 70th minute header earned the hosts a draw.
There’s a lot to look forward to in 2023 in the world of women’s football. Here’s some highlights to keep an eye on.
“There is a maturity to the team that’s coming through in each performance,” stated Emma Hayes after Chelsea secured their third victory of the 2022/23 Champions League campaign.
While it wasn’t a scintillating performance as the Blues saw their way through a potentially tricky Real Madrid encounter, it was one that was controlled and well managed. As Hayes pointed out, Chelsea’s experience showed as she labelled her group “the best team” she’s had. “When these teams are so evenly matched, I’m starting to see the benefit of our experience,” she said. “Look at my group and the leaders in my group. I thought two years ago, we had a decent amount of experience, but this team is another level.”
The second night of Champions League action saw Chelsea travel to Paris for a highly anticipated encounter against PSG. They edged to a 1-0 victory thanks to a first half goal from Millie Bright, completing a successful week for English teams in France.
If a lifetime of consuming football teaches you anything, it is to always expect the unexpected. But even with full awareness of that, some events just take you by surprise. Sitting in the Groupama Stadium watching Arsenal lead the European Champions 5-1 with 20 minutes to play was one such moment. Jonas Eidevall described it as “a special night” after his side inflicted Lyon’s heaviest defeat since April 2006.
It was an evening of controversy, fiery challenges and torrential rain as Arsenal squeaked past Ajax to reach the Group Stage of the Champions League. A sole goal from Vivianne Miedema saw the Gunners through in a scrappy affair in Amsterdam.
“It is a very special moment being a childhood fan, being at the Emirates and scoring an important goal like that. You work with a player every day and they get to live a moment like this. We’re all very happy for the goal as a team but also for Lotte as an individual and understand that it’s a special moment.”
As Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall alluded to, football has a habit of tugging at those heart strings. Those special moments it creates were no better illustrated than when Lotte Wubben-Moy found herself in space in the box to hammer home a valuable equaliser for her side. Having come through the Academy and an Arsenal fan through and through, it was the perfect script for the young defender’s first start at the Emirates.
There’s a lot to look forward to in 2022 in the world of women’s football. Here’s some highlights to keep an eye on.