Welcome back to Matildas Abroad, where I analyse the performances of all our Aussies playing overseas!
We've had a fair bit of action this week, especially last night, so let's get into it!
Champions Cup — Arsenal win thanks to Foord goal
Steph Catley (right) with her close friend and roommate Beth Mead (left), wearing winners' medals and holding up Arsenal's FIFA Champions Cup trophy. Source: Instagram (@stephcatley).
It's official: after winning their second ever Champions League last season to be crowned European champions, Arsenal have won the Champions Cup to be crowned "world champions" (note the quotation marks). Hosted in London, the Gunners played two matches: a semi-final against AS FAR Rabat from Morocco, which Arsenal won 6–0, and the final against Corinthians from Brazil, who upset Gotham FC from America 1–0 in their own semi-final. Both semi-finals were held at Gtech Stadium, home of men's Premier League club Brentford, while the final was held at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners started with Steph Catley at the back, who played the entire match including extra time. They took an early lead through Canada's Olivia Smith before O Timão equalised through 40-year-old club legend Gabi Zanotti to level the score 1–1 at half time. England's Lotte Wubben Moy gave the Gunners the lead once again before a stoppage time equaliser from Victória. Levelled 2–2, the match went to extra time, Caitlin Foord, who replaced Olivia Smith in the second half, scored in the 104th minute to win the Gunners the Champions Cup in their home city. Unfortunately however, Kyra Cooney-Cross did not play at all.
Congrats to all three Aussies at Arsenal (although it pains me to say it)!
America (USL Super League) — Super League returns after break
Sophie Harding (pictured) turning up on matchday. While Florida normally has much nicer weather than the rest of the US, this week has been an exception with Florida getting some of its coldest days in 15 years. Image source: Instagram (@gainbridgesuperleague).
The USL Super League's mid-season break is finally over! However, Fort Lauderdale United fans will be wishing it wasn't, with the side losing 3–1 at home to Lexington. Maddy McComasky started but was subbed off, while Sophie Harding was subbed on. Morgan Aquino's DC Power had a bye this week. United are sixth and the Power are eighth on the ladder so far.
England (WSL & WSL2) — Fowler makes long-awaited return in historic win over Chelsea
Clare Wheeler (centre) warming up for Everton at Goodison Park. Everton picked up their third league win of the season over the weekend, beating Aston Villa 2–1 at home. Image source: Instagram (@efc.graphic).
To kick things off in the WSL, Charlize Rule, who hopes to be picked for the Asian Cup squad in just a month's time, started but was subbed off in Brighton's 2–1 home loss to London City, with Brighton manager Dario Vidošić still on leave following the tragic and devastating passing of his father Rado from cancer aged 64. Alanna Kennedy came on as a substitute for the Lionesses. Meanwhile, Clare Wheeler's Everton got picked up a crucial three points at home, beating Aston Villa 2–1, with Wheels playing the full 90 minutes for the Toffees.
Kaitlyn Torpey made her second appearance in black and white on the weekend following her surprise signing for Newcastle United in January. Image source: Instagram (@newcastleunitedwomen).
My club Tottenham pulled off a second half comeback over West Ham, defeating the Hammers 2–1. Clare Hunt played the full 90 minutes for Spurs, while Katrina Gorry played the full 90 minutes for the Irons as captain. Charli Grant is reportedly close to returning, with reports of her being back to running. In the WSL2, Kaitlyn Torpey started but was subbed off in Tanya Oxtoby's Newcastle United's 1–1 draw at home with Ipswich Town, another blow to the Magpies' promotion hopes as they now sit sixth in the league with a game in hand and now six points off the promotion playoff spot.
It's official: Mary Fowler is back! She came on as a substitute in Man City's historic 5–1 win over Chelsea, finally making her long-awaited return to football. Image source: Instagram (@matildas and @mancitywomen).
Now for the big game: Manchester City 5–1 Chelsea. What a historic match, with likely champions Man City putting FIVE past reigning treble winners Chelsea who have won six WSL titles in a row. It was the Blues's biggest defeat since their famous 5–0 home loss to Arsenal on 15 October 2018, and their biggest ever loss to the Cityzens. For the Blues, Ellie Carpenter played the full match while Sam Kerr came on as a sub. But the big news is that Mary Fowler has finally made her long-awaited return to football, coming on as a sub for City. Whether she makes the Asian Cup squad will be a major talking point as she will still be on managed minutes at City, but nevertheless it's very exciting that she's back. Congrats Mary!
From a relegation battle to a European race? If Tottenham beat Chelsea, not only will we have picked up our first ever points against Chelsea, but we would also surpass them on the league table. Image source: Instagram (@spurswomen).
Now a quick look at the WSL table: Man City are first and 11 points clear of Man United who jumped past Chelsea who are now in third, but could possibly go fourth due to Arsenal's game in hand against Leicester or even fifth with Tottenham being just a point behind them. Seven points down and sixth is London City, seventh is Brighton and eighth is Aston Villa. Now for the bottom of the table: Everton are in ninth, Leicester in 10th, West Ham in 11th and Liverpool in 12th. Chelsea will face Tottenham next and a win for Spurs would see them jump ahead of the Blues and put them in serious danger of missing out on European football unless they win the Champions League, though at the same time the Lilywhites would be extremely happy as we have never come close to European football nor have we ever beaten or drawn with Chelsea.
France (Première Ligue) — Dijon and Lyon win
Two weeks ago, Kyah Simon (pictured) scored a hat-trick for Dijon. Now she's back to the bench. Very bizarre. Image source: Instagram (@kyahsimon).
Both Dijon and Lyon picked up wins on the weekend. Kyah Simon came on as a sub in Dijon's 3–0 away win over Strasbourg while Teagan Micah was not in the matchday squad for Lyon's 1–0 away win over PSG. Lyon of course remain first with 13 wins and one draw in 14 matches, while Dijon sit seventh on the ladder.
Germany (Frauen-Bundesliga & 2. Frauen-Bundesliga) — Rankin benched, Raso out of the squad
Jamilla Rankin (pictured) arriving on matchday. Her lack of game time in a newly-transformed Hoffenheim side could potentially cost her an Asian Cup squad spot. Image source: Instagram (@tsghoffenheimfrauen).
In the Frauen-Bundesliga, Jamilla Rankin was an unused sub for Hoffenheim in their 0–0 draw at home with Werder Bremen, with her lack of playing time being a concern ahead of the Asian Cup. But a major concern came with Hayley Raso not being present at all in the matchday squad for Eintracht Frankfurt in their 2–2 away draw with RB Leipzig, indicating she might leave after just one season yet again. Hoffenheim sit fifth while Frankfurt sit seventh on the Bundesliga table.
In the 2. Bundesliga, Lara Kirkby started for Bochum in their 1–0 home win over Bayern Munich II, while Alana Murphy was an unused sub for Sand in their 2–0 away win over Wolfsburg II. Sand are first and in the box seat for promotion while Bochum are seventh on the 2. Bundesliga table.
Italy (Serie A Femminile) — Roma's title lead cut after shock Parma draw
Alex Chidiac (centre) and Como opted to wear their third kit for their 1–1 away draw with Lazio. Como are now in eighth place. Image source: Instagram (@comowomen).
In the Serie A Femminile, Alex Chidiac played the full 90 minutes for Como in their 1–1 draw away with Lazio, leaving Como in eighth place. Meanwhile, Wini Heatley came on as a sub for Roma in their shock 3–3 draw away to a 10-player Parma side, which cut their lead at the top to five points. Both Jacynta Gala and Jess Nash started for Sassuolo in their 4–0 loss to Juventus, but only Jess played the full 90 minutes. Sassuolo sit in 10th place on the ladder.
Scotland (SWPL1 & SWPL Cup) — Hibs defeated, Dons draw
Emma Ilijoski (right) on the pitch for Aberdeen in their 2–2 draw with Hamilton Academical. Uncapped, she is eligible for both Australia and North Macedonia. Image source: Instagram (@aberdeenfcwomen).
Milly Boughton was on the bench for Hibernian in their 2–1 SWPL Cup semi-final loss to Glasgow City, eliminating them from the league cup competition and seeing Glasgow City advance to the final to face Glasgow Rangers in a Glasgow Derby. Meanwhile, Emma Ilijoski played the full 90 minutes for Aberdeen in their 2–2 draw away from home to Hamilton. The Dons have made some progress, now moving uo to seventh on the table. Hibs meanwhile have shown that Chelsea aren't the only reigning British champions to be struggling in their title race, with Hibs sitting in fifth and a distant 14 points off first-placed Glasgow City.
Sweden (club friendlies) — Malmö beat Hammarby in Cádiz
Amy Sayer (pictured) in training following Malmö FF's 2–0 victory over Hammarby IF in Cádiz, Spain. MFF will be among the favourites for the 2026 Damallsvenskan title. Image source: Instagram (@malmo_ff).
While the Damallsvenskan isn't back until March, we did have some friendlies (shoutout to my Swedish friend for providing the goalscorers).
Daniela Galić scored a brace in Vittsjö's 6–0 home win over non-league Älmhult, again proving she is Matildas quality. Jada Whyman is still injured and did not feature in goals for AIK Stockholm in their 4–3 home loss to Finnish champions HJK Helsinki in a battle of the two country's capitals. Remy Siemsen's Rosengård defeated her old side Kristianstad 3–0 at home, with KDFF clearly hurt by the loss of key players. Meanwhile, Polly Doran's Linköping, a very historic club that was relegated to the Elitettan last season, lost 4–2 away to newly-promoted Damallsvenskan side Eskilstuna United. Swedish champions Häcken, for whom Aivi Luik plays, drew 2–2 away with rising Elitettan side Elfsborg.
Now for the big matchup as Courtney Nevin and Amy Sayer's Malmö faced Hammarby in the luxury residential resort area of Sotogrande in Cádiz, Spain, playing at Santa Maria Polo Club Sotogrande (Santa Maria PC). Malmö came out victorious, defeating Hammarby 2–0. Hammarby will need to start strengthening their squad if they want to again compete for the title, as they are yet to replace their missing star players, while Häcken and Malmö have managed to keep many and most of theirs respectively.
Player of the Week — Caitlin Foord
Caitlin Foord (pictured) has won this week's Player of the Week award for her crucial match-winning goal for Arsenal that won them the FIFA Champions Cup. Image source: Instagram (@womensfootball_world).
None other than Caitlin Foord is this week's Player of the Week for her Champions Cup-winning goal! Well done Caitlin!
Conclusion
That’s all for this week, but stay tuned for next week and for my official Asian Cup squad picks, set to drop on Wednesday (for real this time!). As always, feel free to jump into the comments with any questions or to discuss the weekend’s matches, and thanks for reading, I hope you found it useful.
We've had a fair bit of action this week, especially last night, so let's get into it!
Champions Cup — Arsenal win thanks to Foord goal
Steph Catley (right) with her close friend and roommate Beth Mead (left), wearing winners' medals and holding up Arsenal's FIFA Champions Cup trophy. Source: Instagram (@stephcatley).
It's official: after winning their second ever Champions League last season to be crowned European champions, Arsenal have won the Champions Cup to be crowned "world champions" (note the quotation marks). Hosted in London, the Gunners played two matches: a semi-final against AS FAR Rabat from Morocco, which Arsenal won 6–0, and the final against Corinthians from Brazil, who upset Gotham FC from America 1–0 in their own semi-final. Both semi-finals were held at Gtech Stadium, home of men's Premier League club Brentford, while the final was held at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners started with Steph Catley at the back, who played the entire match including extra time. They took an early lead through Canada's Olivia Smith before O Timão equalised through 40-year-old club legend Gabi Zanotti to level the score 1–1 at half time. England's Lotte Wubben Moy gave the Gunners the lead once again before a stoppage time equaliser from Victória. Levelled 2–2, the match went to extra time, Caitlin Foord, who replaced Olivia Smith in the second half, scored in the 104th minute to win the Gunners the Champions Cup in their home city. Unfortunately however, Kyra Cooney-Cross did not play at all.
Congrats to all three Aussies at Arsenal (although it pains me to say it)!
America (USL Super League) — Super League returns after break
Sophie Harding (pictured) turning up on matchday. While Florida normally has much nicer weather than the rest of the US, this week has been an exception with Florida getting some of its coldest days in 15 years. Image source: Instagram (@gainbridgesuperleague).
The USL Super League's mid-season break is finally over! However, Fort Lauderdale United fans will be wishing it wasn't, with the side losing 3–1 at home to Lexington. Maddy McComasky started but was subbed off, while Sophie Harding was subbed on. Morgan Aquino's DC Power had a bye this week. United are sixth and the Power are eighth on the ladder so far.
England (WSL & WSL2) — Fowler makes long-awaited return in historic win over Chelsea
Clare Wheeler (centre) warming up for Everton at Goodison Park. Everton picked up their third league win of the season over the weekend, beating Aston Villa 2–1 at home. Image source: Instagram (@efc.graphic).
To kick things off in the WSL, Charlize Rule, who hopes to be picked for the Asian Cup squad in just a month's time, started but was subbed off in Brighton's 2–1 home loss to London City, with Brighton manager Dario Vidošić still on leave following the tragic and devastating passing of his father Rado from cancer aged 64. Alanna Kennedy came on as a substitute for the Lionesses. Meanwhile, Clare Wheeler's Everton got picked up a crucial three points at home, beating Aston Villa 2–1, with Wheels playing the full 90 minutes for the Toffees.
Kaitlyn Torpey made her second appearance in black and white on the weekend following her surprise signing for Newcastle United in January. Image source: Instagram (@newcastleunitedwomen).
My club Tottenham pulled off a second half comeback over West Ham, defeating the Hammers 2–1. Clare Hunt played the full 90 minutes for Spurs, while Katrina Gorry played the full 90 minutes for the Irons as captain. Charli Grant is reportedly close to returning, with reports of her being back to running. In the WSL2, Kaitlyn Torpey started but was subbed off in Tanya Oxtoby's Newcastle United's 1–1 draw at home with Ipswich Town, another blow to the Magpies' promotion hopes as they now sit sixth in the league with a game in hand and now six points off the promotion playoff spot.
It's official: Mary Fowler is back! She came on as a substitute in Man City's historic 5–1 win over Chelsea, finally making her long-awaited return to football. Image source: Instagram (@matildas and @mancitywomen).
Now for the big game: Manchester City 5–1 Chelsea. What a historic match, with likely champions Man City putting FIVE past reigning treble winners Chelsea who have won six WSL titles in a row. It was the Blues's biggest defeat since their famous 5–0 home loss to Arsenal on 15 October 2018, and their biggest ever loss to the Cityzens. For the Blues, Ellie Carpenter played the full match while Sam Kerr came on as a sub. But the big news is that Mary Fowler has finally made her long-awaited return to football, coming on as a sub for City. Whether she makes the Asian Cup squad will be a major talking point as she will still be on managed minutes at City, but nevertheless it's very exciting that she's back. Congrats Mary!
From a relegation battle to a European race? If Tottenham beat Chelsea, not only will we have picked up our first ever points against Chelsea, but we would also surpass them on the league table. Image source: Instagram (@spurswomen).
Now a quick look at the WSL table: Man City are first and 11 points clear of Man United who jumped past Chelsea who are now in third, but could possibly go fourth due to Arsenal's game in hand against Leicester or even fifth with Tottenham being just a point behind them. Seven points down and sixth is London City, seventh is Brighton and eighth is Aston Villa. Now for the bottom of the table: Everton are in ninth, Leicester in 10th, West Ham in 11th and Liverpool in 12th. Chelsea will face Tottenham next and a win for Spurs would see them jump ahead of the Blues and put them in serious danger of missing out on European football unless they win the Champions League, though at the same time the Lilywhites would be extremely happy as we have never come close to European football nor have we ever beaten or drawn with Chelsea.
France (Première Ligue) — Dijon and Lyon win
Two weeks ago, Kyah Simon (pictured) scored a hat-trick for Dijon. Now she's back to the bench. Very bizarre. Image source: Instagram (@kyahsimon).
Both Dijon and Lyon picked up wins on the weekend. Kyah Simon came on as a sub in Dijon's 3–0 away win over Strasbourg while Teagan Micah was not in the matchday squad for Lyon's 1–0 away win over PSG. Lyon of course remain first with 13 wins and one draw in 14 matches, while Dijon sit seventh on the ladder.
Germany (Frauen-Bundesliga & 2. Frauen-Bundesliga) — Rankin benched, Raso out of the squad
Jamilla Rankin (pictured) arriving on matchday. Her lack of game time in a newly-transformed Hoffenheim side could potentially cost her an Asian Cup squad spot. Image source: Instagram (@tsghoffenheimfrauen).
In the Frauen-Bundesliga, Jamilla Rankin was an unused sub for Hoffenheim in their 0–0 draw at home with Werder Bremen, with her lack of playing time being a concern ahead of the Asian Cup. But a major concern came with Hayley Raso not being present at all in the matchday squad for Eintracht Frankfurt in their 2–2 away draw with RB Leipzig, indicating she might leave after just one season yet again. Hoffenheim sit fifth while Frankfurt sit seventh on the Bundesliga table.
In the 2. Bundesliga, Lara Kirkby started for Bochum in their 1–0 home win over Bayern Munich II, while Alana Murphy was an unused sub for Sand in their 2–0 away win over Wolfsburg II. Sand are first and in the box seat for promotion while Bochum are seventh on the 2. Bundesliga table.
Italy (Serie A Femminile) — Roma's title lead cut after shock Parma draw
Alex Chidiac (centre) and Como opted to wear their third kit for their 1–1 away draw with Lazio. Como are now in eighth place. Image source: Instagram (@comowomen).
In the Serie A Femminile, Alex Chidiac played the full 90 minutes for Como in their 1–1 draw away with Lazio, leaving Como in eighth place. Meanwhile, Wini Heatley came on as a sub for Roma in their shock 3–3 draw away to a 10-player Parma side, which cut their lead at the top to five points. Both Jacynta Gala and Jess Nash started for Sassuolo in their 4–0 loss to Juventus, but only Jess played the full 90 minutes. Sassuolo sit in 10th place on the ladder.
Scotland (SWPL1 & SWPL Cup) — Hibs defeated, Dons draw
Emma Ilijoski (right) on the pitch for Aberdeen in their 2–2 draw with Hamilton Academical. Uncapped, she is eligible for both Australia and North Macedonia. Image source: Instagram (@aberdeenfcwomen).
Milly Boughton was on the bench for Hibernian in their 2–1 SWPL Cup semi-final loss to Glasgow City, eliminating them from the league cup competition and seeing Glasgow City advance to the final to face Glasgow Rangers in a Glasgow Derby. Meanwhile, Emma Ilijoski played the full 90 minutes for Aberdeen in their 2–2 draw away from home to Hamilton. The Dons have made some progress, now moving uo to seventh on the table. Hibs meanwhile have shown that Chelsea aren't the only reigning British champions to be struggling in their title race, with Hibs sitting in fifth and a distant 14 points off first-placed Glasgow City.
Sweden (club friendlies) — Malmö beat Hammarby in Cádiz
Amy Sayer (pictured) in training following Malmö FF's 2–0 victory over Hammarby IF in Cádiz, Spain. MFF will be among the favourites for the 2026 Damallsvenskan title. Image source: Instagram (@malmo_ff).
While the Damallsvenskan isn't back until March, we did have some friendlies (shoutout to my Swedish friend for providing the goalscorers).
Daniela Galić scored a brace in Vittsjö's 6–0 home win over non-league Älmhult, again proving she is Matildas quality. Jada Whyman is still injured and did not feature in goals for AIK Stockholm in their 4–3 home loss to Finnish champions HJK Helsinki in a battle of the two country's capitals. Remy Siemsen's Rosengård defeated her old side Kristianstad 3–0 at home, with KDFF clearly hurt by the loss of key players. Meanwhile, Polly Doran's Linköping, a very historic club that was relegated to the Elitettan last season, lost 4–2 away to newly-promoted Damallsvenskan side Eskilstuna United. Swedish champions Häcken, for whom Aivi Luik plays, drew 2–2 away with rising Elitettan side Elfsborg.
Now for the big matchup as Courtney Nevin and Amy Sayer's Malmö faced Hammarby in the luxury residential resort area of Sotogrande in Cádiz, Spain, playing at Santa Maria Polo Club Sotogrande (Santa Maria PC). Malmö came out victorious, defeating Hammarby 2–0. Hammarby will need to start strengthening their squad if they want to again compete for the title, as they are yet to replace their missing star players, while Häcken and Malmö have managed to keep many and most of theirs respectively.
Player of the Week — Caitlin Foord
Caitlin Foord (pictured) has won this week's Player of the Week award for her crucial match-winning goal for Arsenal that won them the FIFA Champions Cup. Image source: Instagram (@womensfootball_world).
None other than Caitlin Foord is this week's Player of the Week for her Champions Cup-winning goal! Well done Caitlin!
Conclusion
That’s all for this week, but stay tuned for next week and for my official Asian Cup squad picks, set to drop on Wednesday (for real this time!). As always, feel free to jump into the comments with any questions or to discuss the weekend’s matches, and thanks for reading, I hope you found it useful.
