Women’s Club Football Returns with Goals Galore Across Europe
After the final international break of the year, women’s club football roared back into action across Europe this past weekend, delivering drama, goals, and plenty of talking points. From England to Spain, the action was relentless, and fans were treated to some unforgettable moments.
Goals Rain Down in the Women’s Super League
In England, the Women’s Super League (WSL) was all about goals, with a staggering 28 scored across six matches. The weekend saw dominant performances from some of the league’s biggest names. Manchester United, Manchester City, and Arsenal all secured emphatic 4-0 victories over Liverpool, Leicester City, and Aston Villa, respectively. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur edged out Everton 2-1, and Chelsea played out a thrilling 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. To cap it off, West Ham United staged a stunning comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 5-2.
Frauen-Bundesliga Shake-Up
Over in Germany, the Frauen-Bundesliga saw a shift at the top of the table. Bayer Leverkusen’s narrow win over Wolfsburg, combined with Bayern Munich’s 2-0 victory at SGS Essen, caused a reshuffle in the standings. Elsewhere, Köln finally broke their winless streak, claiming their first victory of the season against a struggling Potsdam side.
Eredivisie Drama as PSV Take the Lead
In the Netherlands, the Eredivisie crowned a new league leader as Renate Jansen’s brace powered PSV Eindhoven to a crucial win over Ajax. The victory marked a significant moment in the title race, with PSV now sitting atop the standings.
Serie A and Paris Derby Deliver Late Drama
Italy’s Serie A served up a nail-biter as Barbara Bonansea’s last-minute winner saved Juventus from embarrassment in a 3-2 thriller against Lazio. Meanwhile, AC Milan and Internazionale played out their second 1-1 draw of the season in the Derby della Madonnina. The match mirrored Friday’s Paris derby, where Paris FC snatched a late equalizer against an underwhelming Paris Saint-Germain.
Granada’s Five-Star Performance in Spain
In Spain, Deportivo La Coruña endured their heaviest defeat of the season, falling 5-0 to Granada. The result was a stark reminder of the challenges facing Deportivo this season.
Chelsea Maintain Perfect Start Despite Wobbles
Chelsea extended their perfect start to the WSL season with a 4-2 win over Brighton, equaling the league record of nine consecutive wins to start a campaign, set by Arsenal in 2018-19. However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Blues. Despite racing to an early two-goal lead, defensive errors allowed Brighton to claw their way back into the game twice. Ultimately, Chelsea sealed the win in stoppage time, maintaining their five-point lead over second-place Manchester City.
Manager Sonia Bompastor remained upbeat despite the nervy performance, praising her team’s bravery. “I prefer my team and my players to be confident enough and brave enough to try again, even if sometimes you can be in that position when you lose some balls,” she said. “The best teams are the ones who make the least mistakes. You will always have mistakes in the game, and I want my players to be brave enough to try again.”
Bottom of the Table Battle Heats Up
The fight to avoid relegation in the WSL is as tight as ever, with just five points separating sixth from 12th place. West Ham’s 5-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace lifted them to eighth, while Palace remain rooted to the bottom on goal difference. Leicester City and Aston Villa also find themselves in the thick of the relegation scrap, with both teams struggling to find form amid injury woes.
As the final league matches of the year approach, every point will be crucial. Teams like West Ham and Villa will look to capitalize on opportunities against direct rivals to secure their top-flight status heading into the winter break.
Quick Hits: Weekend Highlights
- PSV Go Top: A dominant 2-0 win over Ajax propelled PSV Eindhoven to the top of the Eredivisie standings.
- Leverkusen Impress: Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-0 win over Wolfsburg showcased their newfound consistency in the Frauen-Bundesliga.
- Granada Shine: Granada’s 5-0 demolition of Deportivo was their best performance in years.
- Juventus Escape: Barbara Bonansea’s late goal saved Juventus from a shock draw against Lazio.
From thrilling comebacks to dominant displays, this weekend reminded us why women’s football continues to captivate fans across the globe. With the winter break looming, the stakes are only getting higher.
Originally Written by: Sophie Lawson
