Arsenal is honing in on another UWCL final, as the reigning European champion visits OL Lyonnes for Saturday’s semifinal decider on a 2-1 aggregate lead.
The Gunners enter the match with momentum, after dismantling Leicester City 7-0 in WSL play. Arsenal will also look for a locker room boost, as the team announced vice captain Leah Williamson signed a new two-year contract with the club.
“I don't feel like I’m done,” Williamson said after 12 years at Arsenal. “It’s really special to be somewhere where you care so much about the people, the project, the place. I don't think it's something to take for granted.”
Three-time UWCL winner Barcelona is also eyeing a final return, taking on German champion Bayern Munich after the pair’s first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
"We had a tough time in the final stretch, and yet we didn't concede," said Barcelona head coach Pere Romeu postgame. "And, on the contrary, in the second half the opposite happened: When we were playing our best, they equalized."
"The first half was different from the second half," echoed midfielder Alexia Putellas. "We have to adapt our game. We should've scored one more goal in the second half. Now let's go to the Camp Nou."
Where to Watch the UWCL Champions League Semifinals
Arsenal kicks off against Lyonnes on Saturday at 9 AM ET before Barcelona hosts Bayern on Sunday at 10:30 AM ET. All Champions League semifinal matches air live on Paramount+.
Manchester City is making a bold play for Arsenal veterans Beth Mead and Katie McCabe as both players enter free agency this summer, The Athletic reported Monday.
Mead and McCabe, both 30, hold contracts that expire at the end of the 2025/26 WSL season. No deals have been finalized, but sources expect City to secure both signings once the WSL transfer window reopens on June 1st.
McCabe has drawn interest from reigning WSL champions Chelsea as well. The versatile defender celebrated her 300th Arsenal appearance Sunday before the Gunners' 2-1 Champions League victory over Lyonnes.
Beth Mead has delivered more than 250 appearances and 78 goals for Arsenal since joining from Sunderland in 2017. Despite questions about her playing time following Arsenal's record £1 million signing of Olivia Smith last summer, Mead has remained crucial this season, registering two goals and five assists in the WSL plus three goals and three assists in Champions League play.
The moves would reunite both players with former Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema, who now plays for Manchester City. Mead's partner, Miedema, was unavailable for City's weekend match, as Mead also missed Arsenal's UWCL clash due to personal reasons.
Manchester City leads the WSL table by six points with two matches remaining and has all but secured Champions League qualification for next season. The club seeks depth ahead of European competition, particularly at fullback where options remain thin beyond Alex Greenwood and Kerstin Casparij.
Arsenal sits fourth in the WSL with three games in hand and trails Manchester City by 11 points. The Gunners have entered advanced talks with Barcelona defender Ona Batlle, viewed as McCabe's likely replacement.
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+.
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.
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+.
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+.
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+.