CommBank Matildas helped Arsenal, FC Twente and Manchester City advance to the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage with second-leg victories overnight.
Meanwhile, domestic action continues, with huge clashes in the WSL, NWSL, and Damallsvenskan.
Read our Matildas Abroad recap below.
UEFA Women’s Champions League Review
Daniela Galic scored her first goal for FC Twente as her team eased past NK Osijek with a 4-0 victory. It was always going to be a tall order for the Croatian side to overturn a three-goal deficit in the second leg and they weren’t able to do so, with FC Twente putting the tie to bed with three goals in the first half. Galic came off the bench at half-time to score her goal.
Manchester City made no mistake in the home leg against Paris FC, walking away 3-0 winners. Chloe Kelly scored in the opening minutes and Khadija Shaw, after being unable to take part in the first leg, made her presence felt with a brace.
Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler both started and played the full match for City. Sarah Hunter was a second-half substitute for Paris FC.
Arsenal overturned a first-leg deficit in front of home fans, defeating BK Häcken 4-0. Lia Wälti, Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead and Frida Maanum were on the scoresheet as the Gunners ensured there would be three English teams in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages for the first time.
Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross came off the bench in the second half, with Foord assisting Maanum’s goal. Steph Catley remains unavailable for Arsenal with injury.
England
The second round of the FA WSL gets underway on Saturday, 4.30am AEST, as Crystal Palace host Chelsea. It will be an immense challenge for Palace after falling to Tottenham last week as the defending champions look to maintain their perfect start to the season. Sam Kerr remains unavailable for Chelsea as she recovers from her ACL injury.
Manchester City will have to back up from the UWCL quite quickly as they host Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, 9.30pm AEST. Brighton currently sits top of the WSL ladder after their 4-0 victory last week, but City will provide a much sterner test. Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler will remain available for City while Charlie Rule continues to work to make the match-day squad at Brighton.
Everton will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing opening-round performance when they take on Manchester United on Sunday, 11pm AEST. It will be a challenging match for the Toffees against a United side determined to break into the top four. Clare Wheeler will be available in midfield for Everton.
West Ham and Liverpool will face off on Monday, 12am AEST. A win for both sides will be massive as they hope to escape the mid-table pack, but the Reds will start the match favourites. Katrina Gorry will be available in West Ham’s midfield while Teagan Micah is unavailable with an ankle injury for Liverpool.
Leicester City host Arsenal on Monday, 12am AEST. The Foxes will be hoping to take advantage of some Arsenal fatigue from the UWCL to help them gain an advantage over their more fancied opponent. Courtney Nevin will be available for Leicester while Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord will be available for Arsenal. Steph Catley will be hoping to be recovered in time to take part in this match.
The final game of the round will take place on Monday, 1.30am AEST, as Aston Villa take on Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs got off to the best possible start last week and will be hoping to carry that form through against Villa, while the home side can take heart from giving as good as they got against Chelsea last week. Charli Grant, Hayley Raso and Clare Hunt will be available for Spurs.
You can watch all of the WSL live and on demand on Optus Sport.
France
Lyon takes on Strasbourg on Saturday, 5am AEST. They are heavy favourites to take the three points but know that any slip-up, even at this stage of the season, could see Paris Saint-Germain take an early advantage in the title race. Ellie Carpenter will be available for Lyon at right-back.
You can watch the match here.
United States
San Diego Wave takes on Portland Thorns on Sunday, 12pm AEST. The Wave will be desperate for three points with time running out on their season, but the Thorns also need a result – they currently sit only three points clear of ninth and will be looking to clinch a playoff spot. Emily van Egmond will be available for the Wave, with Kaitlyn Torpey’s availability up in the air due to injury. Mackenzie Arnold will be available between the sticks for Portland.
The North Carolina Courage travel to take on Chicago Red Stars on Monday, 8am AEST. The Courage will be hoping to build momentum in the lead-up to the finals. Cortnee Vine will be hoping to be available this week.
You can watch all of the NWSL live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Sweden
Kristianstads DFF take on Brommapojkarna on Saturday, 9pm AEST. Kristianstads are now only six points away from the top three and will be hoping to maintain the pressure on the teams above them with three points against their relegation-threatened opposition. Remy Siemsen and Clare Polkinghorne will be available for Kristianstads, while Amy Sayer continues her rehabilitation.
AIK Fotboll host Linköping on Saturday, 11pm AEST. Any points for AIK are vital as they hope to find their way out of the relegation zone. Jada Whyman is unavailable for AIK through injury.
BK Häcken take on Växjö DFF on Tuesday, 2am AEST. They are one of the teams who will be trying to keep their place in European places ahead of the likes of the in-form Kristianstads, and a win on the weekend will go a long way to doing so. Aivi Luik will be unavailable.
Denmark
FC Nordsjælland will be hoping to bounce back after a disappointing defeat last week when they take on Aarhus on Sunday, 9pm AEST. A win could see them back on top of the table. Winonah Heatley will be available for the defending champions.
Netherlands
FC Twente will kick off their league campaign when they take on Fortuna Sittard on Monday, 12.45am AEST. The defending Dutch champions will be hoping to get off to a good start after already qualifying for the UWCL group stage for the first time earlier in the week. Daniela Galic will be available for the side, fresh off scoring her first goal for them midweek.
