UEFA Women’s Champions League
Fridolina Rolfö’s maiden goal for Manchester United secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid in a thrilling
UEFA Women’s Champions League encounter, marked by both teams finishing with ten players.
The Swedish star, who joined from Barcelona in the summer, volleyed home in the 24th minute to ensure United maintained their perfect start in the league phase, following last week’s 1-0 win over Vålerenga. Marc Skinner’s side showed resilience in the Spanish capital, though they were pushed to their limits.
Ella Toone missed an early chance on her record-extending 200th appearance for the Red Devils, but Rolfö broke the deadlock with a perfectly timed back-post volley. Melvine Malard nearly doubled the lead after a slick exchange with Julia Zigiotti Olme, but her toe poked effort drifted wide. The game’s complexion changed when United’s Dominique Janssen was sent off four minutes before half time for a mistimed challenge on former Arsenal winger Gio Garbelini. Initially shown a yellow, the Dutch defender’s punishment was upgraded to a straight red after a lengthy VAR review, with Garbelini stretchered off.
Atletico pressed their numerical advantage, forcing United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a sharp save. However, the hosts’ hopes were dented in the 74th minute when Alexia Fernández received a second yellow for fouling substitute Leah Galton. United regained control late on, with their defence standing firm to secure the win. Malard squandered a late chance to make it 2-0, curling wide after a superb solo run.
The victory places United alongside Barcelona, Lyon, Wolfsburg, and Real Madrid with maximum points, while Atletico sit on three points from two matches.
Reigning Champions League holders Arsenal claimed their first win of the league phase, with second half strikes from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo sealing a gritty 2-0 triumph over Benfica in Lisbon. After a disappointing loss to Lyon in their opener, the Gunners arrived at the Estádio da Luz fresh from a WSL win over Brighton. However, their return to the city where they won their second European title in May proved challenging. Arsenal struggled to create in the first half, with goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar’s superb save denying Diana Gomes’ powerful header.
The breakthrough came on 57 minutes when Mead capitalised on a defensive mix-up. Mariona Caldentey’s square pass caused chaos, with Benfica’s Gomes inadvertently nudging the ball towards her own goal, allowing Mead to apply the finishing touch. Despite Benfica’s threat, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers introduced Stina Blackstenius and Chloe Kelly to secure the result. It was Russo who sealed the win in the 89th minute, pouncing on a loose ball from a free kick to fire into the bottom corner.
Arsenal now sit ninth in the league-phase table, while Benfica join Paris St-Germain, Roma, and St. Pölten with two defeats from two.
Club record signing Alyssa Thompson marked her first Chelsea goal as the Blues delivered a commanding performance to beat Paris FC 4-0.
After a frustrating 1-1 draw at FC Twente in their opener, Sonia Bompastor’s side were eager to make a statement. Paris FC’s compact defence initially stifled Chelsea, but the hosts took the lead when Sjoeke Nüsken won a penalty after a VAR check and Sandy Baltimore converted with confidence.
Erin Cuthbert’s midfield tenacity set up Chelsea’s second, as she dispossessed an opponent and fed Thompson, who crossed for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd to head home. Moments after the interval, Thompson struck, latching onto a precise Keira Walsh pass to prod home at the back post. Chelsea’s dominance continued, with substitute Sam Kerr’s header from a Baltimore corner allowing Cuthbert to tap in a fourth. Aggie Beever-Jones and Guro Reiten both hit the woodwork, but the Blues couldn’t add to their tally.
The victory gives Chelsea four points from two European matches, maintaining their unbeaten record across all competitions this season.
