The reigning UWCL winner couldn’t be silenced on Sunday, as Arsenal topped OL Lyonnes 2-1 to take the lead in the two-leg Champions League semifinals.

Forward Jule Brand opened the scoring for the French champions. Later, a clumsy defensive breakdown gifted the Gunners an own goal, before forward Olivia Smith scored the second-half game-winner at the Emirates.

“The first half was quite even. We gave away a cheap goal,” captain Leah Williamson said. “But what you saw second-half was a team on a mission, fueled by the crowd.”

Lyon isn’t the only side hunting a second-leg spark, as three-time UWCL winner Barcelona settled for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich.

The German champions battled for a result after goal-scorer Franziska Kett was dealt a red card in the 79th minute. However, the Spanish side ultimately could not capitalize on Bayern’s loss.

“I think in general we defended our goal pretty well,” Bayern captain Glódís Viggósdóttir told UEFA.

“We followed the game plan, we closed the spaces that we wanted to close and then we wanted to get them on the counter, and obviously it’s a fantastic goal from start to finish. I’m just incredibly proud of how we handled every single situation today.”

“We’re heading back to Barcelona with a draw that feels like too little, given the chances we had,” said Barcelona manager Pere Romeu.

How to Watch Arsenal in the UWCL Champions League Semifinals

The UWCL semifinals finish up this weekend, as Arsenal visits OL Lyonnes on Saturday at 9 AM ET. Afterwards, Barcelona hosts Bayern on Sunday at 10:30 AM ET. Both matches air live on Paramount+.

The Champions League final kicks off on May 23rd in Oslo, Norway.

USWNT stars take center stage this weekend, as the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals kick off with UWCL clashes featuring US talent on both sides.

OL Lyonnes advanced behind dominant US midfield trio Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes, and Korbin Shrader, who powered the French club past Wolfsburg in the quarterfinals. They now face reigning UWCL champion Arsenal — and USWNT defender Emily Fox — on Sunday.

"We know Arsenal are a top side," Yohannes said. "But we're not really thinking about the opponent — we're focused on ourselves and we know that if we put in our top performance, we can beat anyone."

Sunday's UWCL semifinals matchup repeats October's Champions League league-phase opener. That's when OL Lyonnes topped the Gunners 2-1 in London, while both teams eventually advanced to the quarterfinals.

Bayern Munich hosts Barcelona on Saturday, hunting its first-ever Champions League final berth after winning a fourth straight Frauen-Bundesliga title. Barcelona previously routed Bayern 7-1 in the league phase, entering the UWCL semifinals in dominant form with just one loss this season.

The Spanish club is seeking a sixth consecutive final appearance. Barcelona will hope for superstar Aitana Bonmati’s healthy return, as the midfielder continues her injury recovery.

Second-leg matches take place in May, with the final set for Oslo on May 23.

Where to Watch UWCL Champions League Semifinals

The UWCL semifinals kick off with Bayern Munich vs. FC Barcelona on Saturday at 12:15 PM ET. Afterwards, Arsenal faces OL Lyonnes on Sunday at 10:30 AM ET. Both Champions League matches air live on Paramount+.

Barcelona advanced to the Champions League semifinals with a 6-0 win over Real Madrid on Thursday, completing a 12-2 aggregate rout in their quarterfinal matchup.

Entering the UWCL quarterfinal's second leg with a 6-2 lead, Barcelona took control early and never let Real Madrid back into the tie. The hosts built a 4-0 halftime lead, before adding two more after the break to put a stamp on the rare Champions League El Clásico.

Caroline Graham Hansen led Barca's attack with two goals while Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, Ewa Pajor, and Esmee Brugts each added a tally. The result marked Barcelona's eighth straight Champions League semifinal appearance.

Putellas reached multiple milestones in the win. She scored her 30th Champions League goal in her 500th appearance for Spanish powerhouse. She additionally become the first player to score for Barcelona at Camp Nou in both the 2020/21 and 2025/26 UWCL competitions.

Real Madrid entered the match hunting comeback after last week's 6-2 loss. But Barcelona limited chances and dictated possession from the start, controlling both ends of the pitch.

"Barcelona just ran over the top of us," Madrid coach Pau Quesada told reporters. "I think they were very superior to us in all areas. We knew that this was a team which, when they have their night, there's little you can do."

The win continues Barcelona's dominant 2025/26 run, racking up six wins against its Liga F rival this season across all competitions. It also keeps the club on track to capture another European title, after ceding last year's UWCL championship to WSL side Arsenal.

Champions League Semis Pit Barcelona Against Bayern Munich

Barcelona will next face Bayern Munich in the UWCL semifinals, with the first leg set to kick off on April 24th, live on Paramount+.

The winners will advance to the May 23rd Champions League final in Oslo, Norway.

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.

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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.

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+.

The 2025/26 Champions League quarterfinals have arrived, as WSL rivals Chelsea and Arsenal prepare to kick off an historic London derby in the round's first leg on Tuesday — with both UK clubs contending with shorthanded rosters after waning midseason availability.

Chelsea is without Australian standouts Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter as they return from their second-place run at the 2026 AFC Asian Cup, while fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, and Kyra Cooney-Cross sit out for Arsenal.

The Blues' concerns go even deeper, however, as the recent departures of Guro Reiten and Catarina Macario combine with a long injury list: Aggie Beever-Jones remains questionable, while Millie Bright, Nathalie Björn, Mayra Ramírez, and Niamh Charles are all sidelined.

"I still think we have a lot of quality and coming into the game tomorrow, we will have some strengths to use," assured Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor on Monday.

The other Champions League quarterfinal matchups should showcase more star power, as Wolfsburg takes on OL Lyonnes, Barcelona opens its Clásico against Real Madrid, and Manchester United battles Bayern Munich.

"You know it's going to be competitive — nobody's going to give anything away for free," said Barcelona forward Caroline Graham Hansen.

How to watch the 2025/26 Champions League quarterfinals

The UWCL quarterfinals kick off their first legs on Tuesday, with Wolfsburg hosting OL Lyonnes at 1:45 PM ET before Chelsea visits Arsenal at 4 PM ET.

Then on Wednesday, Barcelona takes on Real Madrid at 1:45 PM ET, and Bayern visits Man United at 4 PM ET.

All 2025/26 Champions League matches will stream live on Paramount+.

Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati earned a nomination for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award, marking her third consecutive nomination for the prestigious honor.

Bonmati won the Laureus award in 2024 before losing to US gymnast Simone Biles in 2025. The midfielder now competes for the 2026 prize following another stellar year with the Spanish club.

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner helped Barcelona dominate Spanish women's football in 2025, capturing the Liga F title, Copa de la Reina trophy, and Spanish Super Cup. Barca additionally reached the 2024/25 Champions League final.

Bonmati faces strong competition for this year's award, going up against US sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, US hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon, and US swimmer Katie Ledecky.

The Laureus ceremony is set for Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid on April 20th, with Bonmati hoping to reclaim the award she won two years ago.

The Spanish titan's 2025 success centered around the midfield, as the captain controlled games throughout the season while collecting individual accolades. Her performances routinely earned widespread recognition beyond Spain.

The Laureus award recognizes exceptional athletic achievement across all sports. Bonmati's nomination highlights the Catalan club's continued global impact in women's football, as she stands among elite athletes worldwide competing for this distinction.

Adidas unveiled the official Champions League match ball for the 2026 UEFA Women's Champions League final in Oslo, sporting a bold Nordic-inspired design celebrating the host city's identity as "Tigerstaden" — the Tiger City.

The UWCL final is set for May 23rd at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, marking the first time Norway has hosted a women's final.

The ball features striking red metallic panels with silver stars and intricate Nordic graphics. Adidas also incorporated tiger motifs throughout the design as a nod to Oslo's nickname, while silver elements resemble protective shields and interlocking armor.

Adidas drew inspiration from Nordic Shield Maidens, legendary warriors who embodied strength and courage. The design also references "Skjaldborg," a shield formation symbolizing unity and resilience. Both themes subsequently celebrate the evolution of modern women's football.

Adidas Performance branding and the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy logo complete the design in bold blue hues, creating contemporary contrast against the metallic red base.

The structure represents updated Adidas technology. Seamless, thermally bonded construction delivers precision and consistency in all match conditions, while a textured surface enhances grip and control for top-level play.

The ball debuted during this month's first-ever knockout phase play-offs, with teams set to use the official ball in the matches leading up to the Oslo final.

How to buy the official Adidas Champions League match football

The Champions League match ball is now available for purchase at selected adidas retail stores and online at adidas.com.

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League set its quarterfinal matchups this week, after this month's two-leg Round of 16 ties yielded a competitive field full of familiar foes.

Reigning UWCL champion Arsenal advanced via a 7-1 aggregate drubbing of Belgium side OH Leuven on Wednesday, with the Gunners joined in the winners column by fellow WSL titan Manchester United, who ousted Atlético de Madrid on a 5-0 aggregate, and Spain's Real Madrid, who outlasted Paris FC 5-2 across their two matches.

After lodging a 2-2 first-leg draw with Juventus last week, Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg also booked a spot in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over the Italian side on Thursday.

This week's victors will now join the four already-qualified challengers in next month's quarterfinals — with two heated rivalries taking center stage.

Arsenal will face reigning six-time WSL champion Chelsea FC for the first time in the Champions League knockouts, while Real Madrid takes on fellow Liga F powerhouse Barcelona in an El Clásico rematch.

As for Manchester United, the Red Devils will face Germany's Bayern Munich, while Wolfsburg has drawn perennial French champion OL Lyonnes.

How to watch the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals

UWCL action will return with the first matches of the two-leg quarterfinal round on Tuesday, March 24th.

All 2025/26 Champions League matches will stream live on Paramount+.

Defending Champions League winner Arsenal is back on the pitch on Wednesday, when the WSL club opens the 2025/26 UWCL Round of 16 against Belgium side Oud-Heverlee Leuven — the same team the Gunners beat 3-0 during December's league phase.

Arsenal's UWCL path hasn't been the smoothest, after an early collapse saw the title-holders slip out of the European tournament's top ranks, forcing the club to fight for playoff survival.

That said, the Gunners have momentum on their side after winning this month's inaugural FIFA Champions Cup final before topping WSL frontrunner Manchester City 1-0 last Sunday.

Wednesday's first-leg clash, however, will likely see Arsenal facing the Belgium league-leaders without goalkeeper Anneke Borbe or forwards Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead, after recent injuries sidelined the standout trio.

"We respect who they are," Gunners head coach Renée Slegers said of OH Leuven on Tuesday. "So even though we came away with a 3-0 win here last time, we're very humble for the challenge tomorrow."

How to watch Arsenal in the 2025/26 UWCL Round of 16

Arsenal will visit OH Leuven at 12:45 PM ET on Wednesday before hosting the Belgian side for the pair's second-leg match at 3 PM ET on February 18th, with the winner set to face reigning WSL champion Chelsea FC in the UWCL quarterfinals on March 24th.

All 2025/26 Champions League matches will stream live on Paramount+.