Welcome back to Matildas Abroad, where I analyse the performances of all the Aussies playing overseas.
This week's midweek wrap-up will be short even for a midweek one as we only had Champions League action this week, so short that I won't even do subheadings. However, it's officially the last week of the league stage, with all of the matches having concluded this morning and the table having been finalised.
Sam Kerr scored the winner as Chelsea progressed in the Womens Uefa Champions League
To kick things off, Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr both started (though ended up being subbed off) for Chelsea in their 2–1 away win over Wolfsburg, and it was none other than Sammy herself who scored the winner as the Blues came from behind to secure third place in the league stage and qualify directly for the quarter-finals. The Blues will be among the favourites for the title, though they've never actually won it, having been hit with an Arsenal or PSG (pre-2025)-like curse in the men's game, but if PSG can break the curse then there's a chance Chelsea could too.
Wini Heatley was an unused sub in Roma's 6–1 win over St. Pölten, for the second game in a row in all competitions (hopefully just due to rotation and not a falling out with the coach after such a strong start). The win was Roma's first and only win in the Champions League proper this season, and despite having a great domestic campaign had such a poor European campaign that means they have been eliminated in 14th place with just four points (a draw with OH Leuven and a win over St. Pölten). E Giallorosse had already been eliminated going into this match, but now have a big league season to focus on which includes the Supercoppa final in early mid January next year.
Steph Catley was a starter for Arsenal in their match against OH Leuven
Kyra Cooney-Cross played a full 90 minutes for Arsenal, while Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord both started but were subbed off. The Gunners secured a 3–0 away win over OH Leuven and finished fifth. While it's not enough for the reigning champions to get a direct spot in the quarter-finals (having missed out by just one point), they do get a seeded spot in the playoffs.
Teagan Micah was on the bench for Lyon in their 4–0 home win over a 10-player Atlético Madrid. Lyon finish second on goal difference to Barcelona and will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals alongside Barça, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Lyon will be among the favourites for the title, and have won the competition a record eight times, most recently in 2022 and previously having won five titles in a row (including two with Ellie Carpenter).
Sam Kerr, as you would've guessed, is this week's Player of the Week. Congrats Sam!!!
That's all for this week, but stay tuned for the final wrap-up of the year on Monday! As always feel free to comment any questions or to discuss the weekend's matches. Thanks for reading, hopefully you enjoyed and found this useful!
This week's midweek wrap-up will be short even for a midweek one as we only had Champions League action this week, so short that I won't even do subheadings. However, it's officially the last week of the league stage, with all of the matches having concluded this morning and the table having been finalised.
Sam Kerr scored the winner as Chelsea progressed in the Womens Uefa Champions League
To kick things off, Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr both started (though ended up being subbed off) for Chelsea in their 2–1 away win over Wolfsburg, and it was none other than Sammy herself who scored the winner as the Blues came from behind to secure third place in the league stage and qualify directly for the quarter-finals. The Blues will be among the favourites for the title, though they've never actually won it, having been hit with an Arsenal or PSG (pre-2025)-like curse in the men's game, but if PSG can break the curse then there's a chance Chelsea could too.
Wini Heatley was an unused sub in Roma's 6–1 win over St. Pölten, for the second game in a row in all competitions (hopefully just due to rotation and not a falling out with the coach after such a strong start). The win was Roma's first and only win in the Champions League proper this season, and despite having a great domestic campaign had such a poor European campaign that means they have been eliminated in 14th place with just four points (a draw with OH Leuven and a win over St. Pölten). E Giallorosse had already been eliminated going into this match, but now have a big league season to focus on which includes the Supercoppa final in early mid January next year.
Steph Catley was a starter for Arsenal in their match against OH Leuven
Kyra Cooney-Cross played a full 90 minutes for Arsenal, while Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord both started but were subbed off. The Gunners secured a 3–0 away win over OH Leuven and finished fifth. While it's not enough for the reigning champions to get a direct spot in the quarter-finals (having missed out by just one point), they do get a seeded spot in the playoffs.
Teagan Micah was on the bench for Lyon in their 4–0 home win over a 10-player Atlético Madrid. Lyon finish second on goal difference to Barcelona and will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals alongside Barça, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Lyon will be among the favourites for the title, and have won the competition a record eight times, most recently in 2022 and previously having won five titles in a row (including two with Ellie Carpenter).
Sam Kerr, as you would've guessed, is this week's Player of the Week. Congrats Sam!!!
That's all for this week, but stay tuned for the final wrap-up of the year on Monday! As always feel free to comment any questions or to discuss the weekend's matches. Thanks for reading, hopefully you enjoyed and found this useful!
