Arsenal sent Chelsea packing on Wednesday, withstanding a stoppage-time goal to knock its London rival out of the Champions League by a 3-2 aggregate score.
The defending champions now advance to the semifinals, despite losing 1-0 on the night at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners entered the match with a commanding 3-1 lead from the first leg. They produced a mature defensive display to stifle Chelsea's comeback attempts throughout the match. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar made several crucial saves late in the game to preserve the advantage.
Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken finally broke through in the fourth minute of stoppage time. However, the Blues needed two goals to level the tie and could not find a second before the final whistle.
McCabe Hair-Pull Sets Off Chelsea Leadership
However, tempers flared in the closing moments after Arsenal's Katie McCabe pulled Chelsea forward Alyssa Thompson's hair with no foul called.
"For me it is clearly a red card for the Arsenal player — she's pulling Alyssa's hair," Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor said after the match. "If the VAR again is not able to check that situation, I don't know why we have the VAR."
Bompastor received an accumulated red card herself for her protests. She stormed down the tunnel before the final whistle.
"Everyone needs to understand, that's the difference between being qualified and not being qualified," she added. "It has a big impact on players."
McCabe, for her part, addressed the incident on her Instagram. "I just want to clarify that I was genuinely reaching for the shirt," she posted to her Stories. "I wouldn't ever want to pull someone's hair. Full respect to Thompson."
The victory caps a brilliant stretch for Arsenal. The Gunners have won 10 of their past 11 matches and remain unbeaten since January.
Champions League Closes Out 2025/26 Quarterfinals
Chelsea wasn't the only WSL team exiting the Champions League this week, as Bayern Munich ended Manchester United's debut run by a 5-3 aggregate score.
"Even as a club, we're still learning," said United manager Marc Skinner. "It takes, sometimes, a punch in the face to wake up."
Arsenal will next face the winner of this afternoon's OL Lyonnes vs. Wolfsburg tie, with the German side holding a 1-0 advantage heading into Thursday's second leg.
Another USWNT roster has arrived as coach Emma Hayes prepares her April squad for next week's three-friendly series against Japan. The lineup includes several significant returns to the national team.
Forward Sophia Wilson rejoins the squad for the first time since 2024 after returning from maternity leave. The 25-year-old gave birth to her daughter in September, and carries 58 caps and 24 international goals back to the team. Wilson was part of the "Triple Espresso" front line that helped lead the USA to the 2024 Olympic gold medal.
Defender Tierna Davidson earned her first call-up since tearing her ACL in April 2025. The 27-year-old has made a complete recovery from the injury and returns after a 13-month absence. Davidson holds 67 caps and three goals for the national team.
"What a long journey she's been on," Hayes said of Davidson. "She's shown once again not just her resilience, but her determination to bring her back to a great level."
As November's World Cup qualifiers inch closer, Hayes has begun favoring consistency over experimentation. The USWNT coach tapped zero uncapped players for just the second time since joining the team in May 2024.
"I think the team is completely different now than it was 12 months ago," Hayes said. "When I look at the starting XI then, and I look at the roster now, I think the roster is much more developed."
Forward Michelle Cooper also returns to the roster for the first time this year after recovering from injuries. The 26-player lineup features 19 NWSL players and seven currently competing in Europe.
Japan enters the FIFA window as 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup champions after defeating Australia in the final. The Nadeshiko outscored opponents 29-1 during their tournament run.
How to Watch April's USWNT vs. Japan Friendlies
The US kicks off its three-match series against Japan on April 11th at 5:30 PM ET, live on TNT.
FIFA has delayed confirming the 2031 Women’s World Cup host, as the US-led bid still lacks required government guarantees.
The joint proposal from the US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica remains the only valid bid. However, FIFA requires multiple federal assurances before awarding hosting rights. This includes a Government Declaration from the head of state and a legal guarantee from the justice department covering visas, security, and tax exemptions.
The Trump White House has yet been to provide those guarantees, according to sources familiar with the process. The delay has stalled what was expected to be a routine FIFA Congress approval later this spring, pushing back key planning steps.
The White House did not respond The Athletic's requests for comment this week. The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup task force also declined to comment on the guarantees.
FIFA, meanwhile, plans to adjust its timeline. In a statement to the New York Times sports publication, the governing body said it had "unanimously decided” to delay the vote. It will instead hold a stand-alone Extraordinary Congress to “highlight the growing power and influence of women’s football.”
US Soccer Looks to Learn From 2026 Men's World Cup Process
The 2031 tournament is set to become the biggest Women’s World Cup yet, expanding from 32 to 48 teams. US Soccer subsequently confirmed that more than 30 US cities have expressed interest in hosting matches in 2031.
“We have some time to figure it out. There’s gonna be a ton of learnings from the ’26 Men’s World Cup,” US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said this week.
“And while we may not want to copy and paste what happened, we definitely want to learn from this tournament.”
The 2031 joint bid estimates $4 billion in potential revenue — some eight times the New Zealand-Australia-hosted 2023 World Cup's earnings.
“FIFA has been a great partner,” Parlow Cone added. “We’ll continue those conversations.”
The Denver Summit is eyeing the future, acquiring land at Santa Fe Yards for a new NWSL stadium in the Mile High City.
Summit controlling owner Rob Cohen called the move a milestone for the club and city.
“This is a defining moment for Denver Summit FC and for the future of women’s professional sports in our city,” Cohen said.
“We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Mike Johnston, Denver City Council, and the broader Denver community for helping turn this vision into a reality.”
Located near Interstate 25, the 2026 expansion side’s purpose-built venue is part of a broader redevelopment project. Additional entertainment venues will subsequently surround the roughly 14,500-seat stadium.
“This will be the largest overall investment in a women’s professional sports team in history,” Cohen said in an earlier team release. “[It will] provide us a distinct home-field advantage and will serve as the most inclusive environment in all of Colorado.”
The blueprints incorporate the ability to expand beyond the stadium’s initial 14,500 seats. The team has additionally voiced interest in eventually extending the capacity closer to 20,000.
The move comes after Denver set an NWSL attendance record, drawing 63,004 fans to its Mile High Stadium home opener.
The Summit joined the US soccer league as its 16th franchise earlier this month. The team currently sits eighth in the NWSL standings, carrying a 1-1-2 early season record.
While construction timelines remain in progress, the club will use temporary venues before transitioning to a permanent home. Development is expected to unfold over the next few years, with the club targeting a 2028 opening.
Champions League action returns Wednesday, as clubs scramble for quarterfinal survival with this week’s second-leg results determining the 2025/26 UWCL semifinalists.
Chelsea finds itself in a tight spot entering the London derby at Stamford Bridge. The Blues face a 3-1 aggregate deficit after falling to defending champion Arsenal 3-1 in last week's first leg.
"There was a conversation after the game against Arsenal and also after Sunday's [WSL] game that we have the belief that we can do it," said Blues midfielder Erin Cuthbert. "We've done it before, but we're under no illusions it's a tough one."
Chelsea is coming off last weekend's 4-3 victory over Aston Villa, with the first six goals coming in the opening half. In that WSL match, Sjoeke Nüsken scored the game-winner for the Blues.
"We know it will be a challenge and a battle," echoed manager Sonia Bompastor. "But if you analyze the performance we put in the first leg, I think there are a lot of belief we can really play a good game tomorrow."
For Wednesday's Champions League clash, Chelsea welcomes back attacker Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. However, defender Millie Bright and forward Aggie Beever-Jones remain unavailable due to injuriy.
Arsenal enters the match riding a six-game winning streak in the Women's Super League, after the Gunners demolished Tottenham 5-2 at the Emirates last weekend behind an Alessia Russo hat-trick.
Arsenal manager Renée Slegers voiced few concerns ahead of the UWCL quarterfinal, despite star defender Leah Williamson remaining sidelined with injury.
"There's a lot of work still to do for us, and that's how we’re going to approach the game," said the second-year coach. "We have a lot of experience in the group as players, as staff as well, how to manage different moments, and that's what we definitely want to bring."
How to Watch Arsenal vs. Chelsea in the Champions League Quarterfinals
Chelsea kicks off the UWCL quarterfinal's second leg against Arsenal today at 3 PM ET, live on Paramount+.
England named 17-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson to its latest squad, handing the midfielder a surprise call-up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland.
Parkinson plays for Portuguese top-flight side Valadares Gaia and has previously been involved in England’s youth teams. She joins the senior group as manager Sarina Wiegman looks to reshape the midfield, with Grace Clinton, Ella Toone, and Aggie Beever-Jones all sidelined with injuries.
Beth Mead, meanwhile, is set to return after missing England’s last two World Cup qualifying wins over Ukraine and Iceland.
According to Wiegman, Parkinson earned the opportunity.
“She’s a very dynamic attacking midfielder and wants to go forward,” said the fifth-year Lionesses coach. “She’s very aggressive and pretty technical.”
Wiegman added that the teenager is not expected to move straight into the starting lineup.
“It’s a learning thing for her, but I do hope she can adapt quickly to the level that’s needed in our senior environment,” she said.
This month’s roster also included captain Leah Williamson despite a recent hamstring issue. Wiegman specified the Arsenal defender “had some small setbacks,” but is progressing well.
When Is the 2027 Women's World Cup?
The 32-team Women’s World Cup kicks off on June 24th, 2027 in Brazil.
The Lionesses currently sit atop Group A3 after tallying wins over Ukraine (6-1) and Iceland (2-0).
Alex Morgan showed support as the newest member of the Wave joined the team this weekend, attending a San Diego match on Saturday as Catarina Macario begins her next chapter in the NWSL.
The USWNT forward joined the Wave this month on a reported five-year deal worth around $8 million — one of the most valuable contracts in women’s soccer history.
Jimmy Butler starstruck by Alex Morgan is so relatable tbh 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tr2kp0eTsC
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) March 29, 2026
Alex Morgan, a minority investor in the 2022 expansion team, was captured interacting with Macario ahead of San Diego’s 2-0 Saturday win over Chicago. NBA star and fellow Wave co-owner Jimmy Butler was also at Snapdragon Stadium, with Butler appearing visibly starstruck upon meeting the retired Wave and USWNT icon.
26-year-old Macario arrives in San Diego from Chelsea, where injuries limited her minutes. However, she emerged as one of the most technically gifted attackers in the US player pool in recent years, scoring 16 goals across 29 national team appearances.
"This is a monumental signing, one that reflects not only our ambition on the field, but the unwavering commitment of our ownership group to invest in excellence and build a championship caliber organization," said Wave sporting director and GM Camille Ashton told The Athletic. "We're confident her best years are ahead."
The signing carries added significance for Macario, who grew up in San Diego before beginning her professional career in Europe with French side Lyon.
The Wave have positioned themselves as one of the NWSL’s most aggressive teams in roster building, using the league’s newly implemented High Impact Player mechanism to bring in impact players like Macario. Currently sitting second in the NWSL standings, San Diego is hoping to contend for its first-ever championship title in 2026.
Arsenal captain Kim Little signed a one-year contract extension on Thursday that takes her into her 16th season with the club, with the 35-year-old midfielder set to remain with the Gunners through 2027.
Manager Renee Slegers praised the club legend after the announcement.
"I just feel very privileged to work with Kim," she said. "We are creating something and Kim is a big part of it."
Little has made 405 appearances for Arsenal and scored 177 goals, winning every available trophy during her time with the London club. Last season, she led the team to the 2024/25 Champions League title.
The now-retired Scotland international remains a crucial part of the squad, making 19 starts across all competitions this season. As such, Slegers emphasized her ongoing importance to Arsenal's future.
"I think what we do at the moment is a lot of collaboration with the captain's group, with Kim, our captain, and get as much input as possible on things," explained the second-year manager. "She's such an important part of what we're building."
Arsenal is coming off last week's commanding 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the UWCL quarterfinal's first leg. The win puts them in strong position to advance to the semifinals.
The midfielder joined Arsenal initially in 2008 before departing for the NWSL's Seattle Reign in 2013. She returned to the WSL in 2017, and has anchored the team ever since.
Little's contract extension ensures continuity in the Arsenal midfield as the team chases domestic and European silverware.
How to Watch Kim Little Captain Arsenal in Champions League
Little will next take the pitch on Wednesday, as Arsenal takes on Chelsea for the second leg of the UWCL quarterfinals at 3 PM ET, live on Paramount+.
The Summit reached new heights on Saturday, when the 2026 expansion team shattered the NWSL single-game attendance record with 63,004 fans turning out to watch Denver take on the Washington Spirit in their first-ever home match.
The Mile High Stadium crowd topped the league's previous 40,091-fan high-mark set by Bay FC last season, while also smashing Seattle's doubleheader attendance record of 42,054 fans from 2023.
"I will never forget walking out of that tunnel today and hearing the crowd screaming for us," said Denver captain Janine Solis, with the Summit already keeping pace above the playoff line.
The big day yielded few fireworks, however, as Saturday's 0-0 finish gave each team a point but extended the Spirit's 2026 winless streak.
After dropping their season opener to the Portland Thorns, the 2025 NWSL runners-up have logged three consecutive draws, with Washington now sitting in 12th place on the league table.
"We've been moving in the right direction," Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt said. "It's just going to take time to build that chemistry."
"We're not going to get obsessed with one result," said Washington manager Adrián González. "We know we want to get better every week, and this is what we are doing."
How to watch the Denver Summit, Washington Spirit this weekend
Both Denver and Washington will hit the road for the West Coast this weekend, starting with the Summit visiting the Seattle Reign at 8:45 PM ET on Saturday, airing live on ION.
Then at 5 PM ET on Sunday, the Spirit will take on Bay FC to close out NWSL play prior to the April international window, with live coverage airing on ESPN2.
Just three unbeaten NWSL teams remain after Wednesday's midweek action — and two of them will square off on Friday night, when Angel City hosts the Houston Dash in Los Angeles.
Both clubs have earned six points across their two 2026 games, with ACFC currently sitting atop the NWSL table due to goal differential.
Plus, both rosters should enter the matchup well rested, as neither team participated in this week's Wednesday slate.
Notably, the Dash have yet to concede a goal this season, posting a 1-0 win over the San Diego Wave in their 2026 opener before claiming a 3-0 victory over NWSL newcomers Boston Legacy FC last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Angel City tallied six different goal-scorers over their first two games, defeating Bay FC 3-1 on Saturday after blasting the Chicago Stars 4-0 to open 2026 play.
"We're in a really good state right now — with rhythm, with how we're training, with the gelling of the team, so [I] feel very good going into this game," said Houston manager Fabrice Gautrat.
"It's about growing," said Angel City head coach Alexander Straus. "Having a growth mindset, and understanding that it's never a ceiling, and you can never be happy and comfortable."
How to watch Angel City vs. Houston on Friday night
The Dash will visit Angel City in a Top-2 NWSL clash at 10 PM ET on Friday, airing live on Prime.