We are only in the second week of the women's Champions League, and it has already been a great, massive moment, with headlines and much more. We saw our first and second red cards of the season all in one game. We saw what a lack of goal-line technology can flip a game upside down.
Plus, we have seen how the league phase structure is coming together and making it even more competitive, though some players are not fans, including Arsenal star Beth Mead. She said, “I like group football and knockout football. I think that's a beauty of football, but ultimately, this is how it's now, and we’ve got to play what’s in front of us.”
Lyon v St Polten.
Lyon were undoubtedly the favourites coming into this game and produced a top-class display from the first whistle. They dominated the ball and tempo and converted pressure into a comfortable three-goal win.
Lyon was constantly on the press and possession throughout the first half, with constant pressure against Polten's back line.
Within the first half an hour, summer signing Jule Brand finished a well-worked move, arriving at the far post to tuck home. Then, just before the break, Ada Hegerberg added a second, converting from inside the box after a fast combination pulled defenders out of position. In the 51st minute, Lily Youannes made it 3-0 with a composed finish from a swift transition.
Valerenga v Wolfsburg
The German side looked more threatening across the game, probing with wide overloads and set-piece deliveries, but their opposition defence remained resilient and quick on the counter. Around the hour mark, Vålerenga levelled after an energetic phase that shifted momentum in their favour.
In stoppage time, the ball struck a Vålerenga defender’s arm/hand inside the penalty area during a crowded sequence. The referee awarded a penalty for the handball; after the routine checks, the spot kick stood, and Wolfsburg’s taker converted to make it 2–1. The decision was based on the ball contacting the defender’s arm/hand while that limb was judged to be in an unnatural position, blocking the ball’s path.
Chelsea v Paris FC.
Chelsea proved themselves with a dominant performance after the day one result, winning 4-0. The Blues sustained pressure, especially using wing players to bring the ball down the pitch. They were awarded a soft penalty as Sjoeke Nusken was tapped on the ankle. At first, it was not given, but VAR intervened, Sandy Baltimore, and a scrappy finish went in off Erin Cuthbert, though people assumed Sam Kerr had the last touch—converted from the spot. Less than ten minutes later, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd got her first Chelsea Champions League goal from a Alyssa Thompson pull-back pass into the centre of the penalty box. Other goals in the second half came from Alyssa Thompson and Sonia Bompastor. Chelsea's manager praised Thompson's speed and one-on-one ability, which troubled defenders and helped the team open the game.
Roma v Barcelona
Barcelona are losing players to injury but still winning big in the Champions League in a one-sided affair, winning 4-0.
Barcelona took control early through measured possession and smart runs off the ball, creating multiple high-quality chances. They opened the scoring from a well-worked attacking move and added goals before and after the break as Roma struggled to stop their passing play. Barcelona’s fullbacks and midfield runners created overloads and crosses that Roma could not consistently defend.
OH Leuven v FC Twente
Leuven produced a compact, effective performance to edge out Twente in a tight contest. Leuven opened the scoring with a composed early finish, then absorbed pressure as Twente sought an equaliser. Twente levelled in the second half, forcing Leuven to reassert control. A swift counterattack gave Leuven the decisive second goal. Leuven defended with discipline in the closing stages and scored the three points in a 2-1 victory.
Atletico Madrid v Manchester United
To get the three points, Manchester United held onto their early lead, even with red-card drama. Fridolina Rolfö hammered a volley into the roof of the net on a well-timed near-post finish to put United ahead. United continued to press sporadically and had the better of early chances.
But the drama happened just before the break when United's Dominique Janssen slid in on Atletico forward Gio Garbelini. At first, it was just a yellow card, but VAR advised the ref to upgrade the booking to a straight red. This is because it was judged to involve a dangerous contact in the knee-to-ankle area. Garbelini was unable to continue the game and was stretchered off the pitch. The club confirmed she suffered a fractured fibula and will undergo surgery and be out for a minimum of three months.
United down to 10 players, Atletico applied the pressure, forcing multiple saves.
But then both teams were down to 10 when Alexia Fernandez received her second yellow and was sent off. United held their 1–0 lead, backed by disciplined defending and key saves in stoppage time.
Marc Skinner, United manager of the red card offence: “I don’t think it’s a scissoring action, which is what I was told. It is natural for Dom to try to win the ball. She has kept her foot down to block the ball and accidentally caught her with a knee that has to balance her out.”
Atletico Madrid's Vilda Boe Risa said: “ It was not nice. She was in a lot of pain. She was scared and upset because she knew what was happening. We just tried to calm her down and say, 'You don't know what it is yet. ‘To calm down, obviously, is difficult. I'm gutted for her. She's an incredible player.”
Bayern Munich v Juventus
The drama did not stop in Spain. There was late drama and VAR scrutiny, which has become a habit in this week's fixtures and the quality of the refs.
The first from Pernille Harder came from a quality cross and a powerful home header, giving Bayern the lead as they continued to create opportunities and press for a second.
But the lead did not last long as Eva Schatzer responded with a curling free-kick that beat the keeper.
The second half was a tactical battle with both sides probing for openings and clearing dangerous crosses. Defence and midfield both tightened as the clock ran down.
Then, in the 95th minute, Lea Schuller finished and was awarded a goal amid a scramble to put the ball over the line. The goal was not given straight away, and checks were made to determine if the ball had crossed the line. The goal was given, but there was a big uproar, especially over the lack of goal-line technology to confirm whether it was entirely over.
The Juventus coach described the ending as “bitter” and publicly questioned the VAR/goal-line decision.
PSG v Real Madrid.
Real Madrid grabbed a valuable away win in Paris, even after an early sub of their keeper. Early in the game, Real Madrid starting goalkeeper Merle Frohms suffered a heavy collision and was forced off; Misa Rodríguez came on as a replacement, causing an early reshuffle for PSG’s backline. Real opened the scoring through Naomie Feller, following incisive attacking play that punished PSG when gaps appeared. Alba Redondo added a second just before halftime from a crowded scramble, giving Real a two-goal cushion going into the break. Rasheedat Ajibade pulled one back for PSG, and the hosts pushed to level, increasing attacking pressure in the second half. Real’s defence coped with the late surge and managed the game tempo, closing out the 2–1 victory.
Benfica v Arsenal
Arsenal finally turned possession into victory in Lisbon, with a chaotic first goal and a late finish to kill the game. Arsenal dominated much of the ball but found Benfica organised and stubborn defensively in the first forty-five minutes. Benfica is frustrated with low blocks and tight defensive marking.
Beth Mead finished from a scramble in the box. Early live updates debated the scorer (initially an own goal), but Mead was ultimately credited after the goalmouth chaos. The goal came from sustained Arsenal pressure and a loose defensive clearance that fell to Mead inside the area.
Arsenal continued to control possession and chase a second. In the 89th minute, Alessia Russo met a Chloe Kelly free-kick routine and finished clinically to make it 2–0, ending any late hope of a Benfica comeback.
Mariona Caldentey, an Arsenal player, said: “Really happy because we won. … At the same time, we need to be better… Almost everything.”
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