16.09.2025 - Oberdorf double, Kerr comeback and Lehmann debut

WLS

Round 2 of the WSL season started with two games on Friday night. The 2025 Champions League winners fell behind to West Ham, but scored five goals to make it two wins from two. Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord, and a brace from Alessio Russo secured the three points. Manchester City also were victorious on Friday, as they came from a goal down against Brighton & Hove Albion. Fran Kirby gave the away team the lead before second-half goals from Khadija Shaw and Yui Hasegawa gave City their first points of the season.

Manchester United have started the season with two impressive wins. After scoring four in the first game, they hit the London City Lionesses for five away from home. Maya Le Tissier gave the visitors the perfect start, scoring from the spot after just 3 minutes. The Lionesses did not sit and feel sorry for themselves, and forced two excellent saves from Red Devils goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. They were punished when United doubled their lead thanks to Canadian right-back Jayde Riviere, who finished fantastically from a tight angle. 

Melvine Malard added a quick-fire brace in the opening five minutes, which gave the visitors a comfortable lead, their fourth in two games. Nikita Parris scored a constellation before new signing Jess Park added the fifth with a sublime strike from the edge of the area.

In the other games, Chelsea maintained their 100% strike rate with a 3-1 win at West Ham, the highlight being a first goal in 20 months for Sam Kerr after her lengthy injury layoff. Leicester City secured their first win of the season over Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur became the third team to have a 100% record after two games, beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park.

Women’s Bundesliga

It's been a strong start to the season for the newly promoted Hamburg team in the top flight. They picked up two points in two games, first a 3-3 draw against Wolfsburg and a 0-0 draw against SGS Essen at the weekend.

On Sunday afternoon, Lena Oberdorf returned to the FC Bayern Munich starting line-up for the first time in over a year and went on to score twice against RB Leipzig. Bayern took the lead at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig after just ten minutes thanks to 'Obi'. They didn't relinquish that lead in front of 10,287 fans. Oberdorf scored her second goal in the 57th minute, and Gilles added another in the 91st minute. The match ended 3–0, with Klara Bühl providing all three assists.

There was also a brace in Hoffenheim's match against Eintracht Frankfurt. Selina Cerci scored twice in the game and led Hoffenheim to a 3-0 victory. Thanks to their superior goal difference, they are now at the top of the table ahead of Bayern Munich.

Liga F

After disappointment in the Madrid Derby against Atletico, Real Madrid got their first win of the season at their third attempt against another Madrid foe. Las Blancas beat Madrid CFF 2-1, an essential victory for head coach Pau Quesada. Goals from Alba Redondo and Caroline Weir, either side of Angela Sosa’s goal, gave them the win. Both teams hit the woodwork in the second half, and a draw may have been a fair result. However, it was a massive win for the white team.

Atletico Madrid continued their 100% start to the season with a 4-0 win over Levante. Goals from Amaiur Sarriegi, Luany, Julia Bartel, and a stoppage-time goal from Andrea Medina gave them a deserved victory. Barcelona are the other team to hold three wins from three, as they also won 4-0 over Logroño. Aitana Bonmatí continued her hot form, scoring another brace, one an astonishing volley with the outside of her heel. It takes her five goals in three games, with Ewa Pajor and Kika Nazareth scoring the other two.

Sociedad stayed unbeaten, as they beat Sevilla 3-0, and the other team to take three points in matchday three was Deportivo, who beat Athletic Club 1-0. Tenerife and Levante Badalona are also unbeaten, with one win and two draws, both drawing 0-0 with Espanyol and Eibar, respectively. The other game also finished in a draw as Alhama and Granada managed a 1-1 draw.

Serie A Women

The final round of group matches in the Serie A Women's Cup took place over the weekend.

In Group A, almost anything was still possible: Juventus were three points behind Lazio with six points from two games. To qualify for the Final Four, the Bianconeri had to win their last match against Napoli. New signing Lia Wälti was also present at the Stadio La Marmora-Pozzo in Biella – but only in the stands. Bonansea and Girelli's team dominated Napoli, winning 4-0.

At the same time, Lazio played their third match against Parma. Here, too, the Romans did not drop any points. They won the game 3-1 in commanding fashion, securing themselves a place in the last four. Juventus, meanwhile, had to wait. It was not until Sunday afternoon that it became clear that they had qualified for the final round as the best second-placed team. Like Lazio, city rivals Roma also secured maximum points, beating Sassuolo 3-0.

The fourth team to qualify for the final round is Inter, despite losing their last match against Como 0–1, with Alisha Lehmann scoring her first goal for Como. The Final Four games will be played at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Castellamare di Stabia. The two semi-finals will be played on 23 and 24 September, with the final taking place on 27 September.

NWSL

Kansas City Current is the only team to have already secured a place in the play-offs, but the Shield Race is not over yet. (The Shield is won by the NWSL team that is at the top of the table at the end of the regular season.) Current played second-placed Washington Spirit at the weekend. The two top teams drew 0-0. It was a missed opportunity for the Washington Spirit, who are now still 14 points behind Current.

Orlando Pride dropped essential points in their bid to reach the playoffs against Bay FC. The clear favourites only managed a 1-1 draw. They are currently in sixth place, which would secure a playoff spot, but the North Carolina Courage, currently in ninth place, are only four points behind. So it's likely to be very exciting.

The match between Seattle Reign and Racing Louisville was an important one in terms of points. Seattle is currently in seventh place, Louisville in eighth. But a medical incident overshadowed Sunday's game: Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo collapsed during the match at Lumen Field in Seattle. She was treated on the pitch and then taken directly to the hospital. Racing Louisville and the NWSL issued an official statement after the incident: 'Savannah was immediately treated by medical personnel on the pitch and taken to a local hospital for further examination. She is in stable condition and conscious.'The match will be completed at a later date, to be determined by both teams.

Denver Summit FC – one of the 16 teams in the NWSL from next season – announces the 'CommonSpirit'. This will be a new and ultra-modern 'Performance Centre' where the team will be able to prepare for matches in perfect conditions.

Off the Pitch

Lucy Bronze also uses her influence off the pitch. In November, Tokyo, Japan, will host the Deaflympics – the Olympic Games for people with hearing impairments. The English deaf national football team will also participate. However, the team has recently been struggling with financial problems. Chelsea veteran and England international Bronze heard about this and promptly donated £10,000 (around €11,500). 'I got this opportunity [to participate in the Olympic Games], so why shouldn't they?' she told the BBC.