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Friday, September 25, 2026

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UEFA Women’s Champions League

In the UEFA Women's Champions League group openers, Manchester City put on a thrilling comeback to draw 2-2 away to Bayern Munich, whilst Mariona Caldentey scored a penalty kick in stoppage time to save Arsenal from a frustrating goalless draw at home against Danish team HB Koge.

Despite dominating possession against a Koge team that included a number of part timers, Arsenal were unable to turn their advantage into opportunities. When Chloe Kelly nudged an outside-of-the-boot effort past Alberte Vingum, the Gunners believed they had taken the lead. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check determined that Stina Blackstenius was offside and blocking the goalkeeper's view.

In an attempt to find a cutting edge, Renee Slegers added Alessia Russo at half time after having made eight changes from the team that drew with Manchester United in the WSL over the weekend. Arsenal were guilty of careless possession and a lack of conviction in the final third, but the overall pattern of the match did not change.

However, a trip on Selina Cerci in the area gave Arsenal a penalty just as a disappointing draw looked on the cards. Despite Vingum getting a hand to her strike, Caldentey stepped up and found the net to secure a hard fought 1-0 victory.

Manchester City pulled off an incredible comeback to draw with Bayern Munich in Germany, marking their return to the Women's Champions League. Linda Dallmann's through ball found an unmarked Giulia Gwinn, who fired past Ayaka Yamashita in the eleventh minute to give the hosts the lead after dominating the first exchanges.

Sixteen minutes later, defender Kerstin Casparij sliced an attempted clearance into her own net under no pressure, giving Bayern a somewhat comical second. Just before half time, Beth Mead scored from close range after Khadija Shaw's shot deflected into her path, cutting the deficit in half for City. However, there was some controversy surrounding the goal because a blue smoke bomb had been thrown onto the field and Bayern's players contended that the game should have been stopped, however play went on and the goal stood.

After the break, Bayern goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic tripped Aoba Fujino in the area to give City a chance to equalize, but she made amends with an incredible save to block Shaw's forceful penalty. Late drama was in store, though, as Germany international Carlotta Wamser, who was making an impression for City, scored to seal a memorable 2-2 draw by whipping a low shot past Mahmutovic.  

Chelsea opened their Champions League league phase campaign with a narrow victory over Austria Vienna on Wednesday night, but the evening was overshadowed by an injury to Keira Walsh.

The England international was withdrawn in the 20th minute and headed straight down the tunnel, shortly after Wieke Kaptein had given Chelsea the lead with a stunning 25-yard strike that went in off the bar. It remains unclear how precautionary the substitution was, but with Chelsea hosting Arsenal on Sunday and England's squad set to be announced next week, the Blues will be hoping for positive news.

Austria Vienna, making their Champions League debut, threatened a shock when Virginia Kirchberger shot over from close range after goalkeeper Livia Peng spilled a corner into her path. Melvine Malard, making her first start since joining from Manchester United, had two good efforts to extend the lead, while Alyssa Thompson shot just wide late in the half. After the break, Malard was replaced by Maika Hamano in what looked a pre-planned change. The Austrian double winners continued to press, with Velentina Potzl denied by a brilliant Peng save and Modesta Uka hitting the post. Chelsea's best chance fell to Sjoeke Nusken, who volleyed over from close range after excellent wing play from Ellie Carpenter.

Hearts produced a disciplined defensive display to claim a hard fought 0-0 draw against Spanish top flight side Real Sociedad in their historic UEFA Women's Europa Cup debut at Ainslie Park.

Andy Thomson's side looked completely at home on the European stage, delivering a brilliantly organised performance to keep their clean sheet intact. Real Sociedad were the first to test Rachael Johnstone, with Klara Cahynová shooting over before Ainhoa Marin forced a comfortable save. The visitors continued to threaten on the counter but lacked a clinical edge, and Hearts went in level at the break after a hard-fought opening 45 minutes.

Real Sociedad applied pressure after the restart, Ava Seelenfreund heading just wide, while Kayla Jardine fired a long range effort off target at the other end. Hearts remained resilient, repeatedly putting their bodies on the line to make vital blocks. Mariana Speckmaier provided an attacking spark on 68 minutes, twisting and turning through the Sociedad defence, though her final effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper. The drama came in added time when Real Sociedad were awarded a penalty, only for the spot kick to be missed – preserving a thoroughly deserved clean sheet on a historic night in Edinburgh and leaving everything to play for in the second leg.

Rangers fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Hammarby IF in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Europa Cup second round qualifying tie. Elin Sørum's close range finish gave the hosts a first half lead, before substitute Fanny Peterson struck late to put Hammarby firmly in control ahead of next week's return leg at Broadwood.

In a lively atmosphere under the lights in Stockholm, the visitors looked to make a fast start against last season's SWPL runners-up. Calliste Brookshire was a constant threat down the left, while Hannah Blake went close after a clever interception. Hammarby took the lead though, just shy of the half hour mark when Hermannsdóttir met a cross from the right and Sørum supplied the finish at the back post.

Rangers continued to probe after the break, Brookshire again causing problems, but Hammarby went close to doubling their lead when Hermannsdóttir's close-range effort crashed off the bar. The hosts eventually got their second late on when Peterson's well placed shot from outside the box beat Jenna Fife, leaving Rangers with work to do in the return leg.