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Women's Champions League

Women's Champions League news

Steph Catley Beth Mead Arsenal Women split

Arsenal without Mead & Catley for UWCL semi-final

Arsenal will be without Beth Mead and Steph Catley for the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final against Lyon this weekend, with the latter's absence placing further focus on the fitness of the recently returned Leah Williamson. The England captain played her first minutes in over a month while on international duty last week, the timing of which could be potentially vital for the Gunners' European title defence.

Mariona Caldentey Arsenal GFX

Arsenal ace Caldentey still has time to boost Ballon d'Or bid

When Arsenal stunned Barcelona to win the Women's Champions League last year, there were so many individuals who deserved to be singled out for praise. Be it the exceptional turnaround overseen by interim-turned-permanent coach Renee Slegers, the goal-scoring exploits of Alessia Russo or the timeless class of Kim Little in midfield, there were so many reasons for the success. It was hard, though, not to be drawn in particular to the impact of Mariona Caldentey.

Georgia Stanway Bayern Munich GFX

How Lionesses star Stanway revived her career at Bayern

Almost every footballer's career has a sliding doors moment, and Georgia Stanway's came in the summer of 2022. It's remarkable to think now, given her role in the England team and her status as one of the best midfielders in the game, but as that year's European Championship approached, Stanway was not in Sarina Wiegman’s starting XI.

Alexia Putellas Ona Batlle Barcelona Women split

Barca's Batlle nears Arsenal move as Putellas attracts WSL interest

Barcelona are reportedly 'close' to losing star defender Ona Batlle to Arsenal on a free transfer, with speculation surrounding the futures of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and key centre-back Mapi Leon also growing as the pair near the ends of their current contracts in Catalunya. London City Lionesses have shown interest in both, as the newly-promoted Women's Super League side look to make a splash in the summer transfer window.

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Aitana Bonmati Barcelona Women 2025-26

Bonmati returns to Barca training ahead of Bayern clash

Barcelona have been handed a huge boost in their chase for the quadruple with the news that Aitana Bonmati has returned to training. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner has been sidelined since late November after suffering a leg fracture that required surgery but she is back with the team now, just days before Barca's Champions League semi-final showdown with Bayern Munich.

Leah Williamson England Women 2026

Williamson injury update provided ahead of Lionesses' Iceland clash

England boss Sarina Wiegman has provided an update on the fitness of Lionesses captain Leah Williamson, who missed the win over Spain on Tuesday night. Wiegman was hopeful that the Arsenal star would be able to play a part in Saturday's clash with Iceland, as England continue their World Cup qualifying campaign, and the status of her availability has now been revisited ahead of that crucial game.

Lotte Wubben-Moy England gfx 16:9

Wubben-Moy deserves Lionesses start in crucial Spain clash

Next week, at Wembley Stadium, the two best national teams in European women's football will meet once more as England, winners of the last two European Championship titles, welcome Spain, the reigning world champions. It'll be their sixth competitive encounter in less than four years and it again brings with it huge stakes as the two bid for the one automatic qualification spot from their group for next summer's World Cup. That England could be without their captain, Leah Williamson, then, is a huge blow.

Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-finals Second Leg

McCabe 'apologetic' over Thompson hair-pull

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers has confirmed she held private talks with Katie McCabe following the defender's controversial altercation with Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson. The incident, which occurred during the Gunners' Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday, saw the Ireland international escape punishment from the referee and VAR.

GFX Chelsea drawing board

Back to the drawing board for Chelsea! UWCL winners & losers

And then there were four. One of Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich or Lyon will be crowned winners of the Women's Champions League next month, after the quartet progressed through an enthralling quarter-final stage over the past week. Bayern will take on Barca later this month while holders Arsenal will face Lyon, with the winners to meet in the final in Oslo, Norway, at the end of May.

Alyssa Thompson Sonia Bompastor Chelsea Women

Bompastor fumes at McCabe hair pull as Chelsea exit UWCL

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor pulled out her mobile phone during a post-match interview to showcase video evidence of a controversial officiating decision. The Blues boss was left incensed after Arsenal defender Katie McCabe escaped punishment despite pulling Alyssa Thompson’s hair in the closing stages of their Women's Champions League quarter-final.

Alyssa Thompson Chelsea HIC

Thompson wasteful as Chelsea UWCL dream dies

Chelsea were knocked out of the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday after failing to overturn a 3-1 aggregate deficit to Arsenal, winning 1-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final. The Blues gave themselves too much to do after their defeat at the Emirates Stadium last week and their wastefulness in front of goal is to blame for another failed European campaign.

Arsenal Chelsea ratings GFX

Job done! Wubben-Moy & Van Domselaar stand tall for Arsenal

Arsenal's Women's Champions League title defence remains well and truly on track after the Gunners withstood Chelsea's attempts at a comeback on Wednesday, falling to a narrow and late 1-0 defeat to win 3-2 on aggregate. It felt like the Blues had to start fast and score early to stand any chance of overcoming the deficit, and so once Arsenal had prevented them from doing exactly that, progression to the semi-finals rarely looked in doubt.

Tullis-Joyce Le Tissier Man Utd Bayern GFX

Brave United undone by Bayern as defensive tactics fall short

Manchester United's Women's Champions League adventure came to a dramatic end on Wednesday, as Bayern Munich staged a late comeback to beat the Red Devils 2-1 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate. Marc Skinner's side started well in Germany and took a deserved early lead through Melvine Malard, but a defensive approach to the second half proved extremely costly as United succumbed to two late goals that sent the German champions through to the semi-finals, where they will likely face Barcelona.

Alessia Russo Arsenal GFX

How Russo has put herself back in Ballon d'Or contention

Talk of Alessia Russo's goal-scoring has dominated conversation around the England international for most of her senior career to date. It's become especially prominent since her move from Manchester United to Arsenal three years ago, with the scrutiny increased because of the switch and also the fact she's become the Lionesses' starting centre-forward. But in this past week in particular, Russo has shown what remarkable steps she has made towards that talk becoming obsolete.

Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Barclays Women's Super League

Bronze sets Chelsea Champions League challenge

England international Lucy Bronze is determined to help Chelsea finally conquer Europe and match the historic success of the men's side. The serial winner hopes her vast experience can guide the Blues to Women's Champions League glory, though they first face a daunting task to overturn a two-goal deficit against Arsenal and keep their dreams of lifting the elusive trophy alive.

Sam Kerr Chelsea GFX

Chelsea must unleash Kerr after electric Asian Cup

Only a year on from winning an unbeaten domestic treble, Chelsea's difficulties this season have been well-documented. The Blues are set to be dethroned as English champions for the first time since 2019 and injuries in attack have played a significant role in their shortcomings, forcing Sonia Bompastor to deploy line-ups without a central striker at times. Sam Kerr's performances for Australia at the Asian Cup this month, then, were a welcome sight for Chelsea fans.

Kim Little Arsenal Women UWCL trophy 2024-25

Arsenal captain Little extends stay as Gunners' contract decisions begin

Arsenal captain Kim Little has signed a new one-year deal with the club, taking her name off the long list of those out of contract with the Gunners this summer. The reigning European champions had more than 10 first-team players whose current deals were set to expire at the end of the season but Little is officially staying put, the club announced on Thursday.