Rise Higher

UWCL

Evelyne Viens played the full 90 for AS Roma in their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich. Now, Viens and Roma will need to win their last UWCL group-stage match, plus have PSG win or draw Bayern, to advance to the knock-outs. Clarissa Larisey started for BK Häcken and played 81 minutes in their 0-0 draw with Paris FC. They currently sit in second place in the group heading into the last match day.

Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence played the full match for Chelsea in a 2-1 win over Real Madrid. Jessie Fleming was once again absent from the Chelsea squad—likely due to her rumoured move to Portland Thorns. As a result of their win, Chelsea are through to the UWCL knockouts. Marie Alidou also played the full match for Benfica. Alidou scored the second goal for her club in a 2-2 draw with FC Rosengård—securing the point that has sent Benfica through to the knockouts. Lastly, Vanessa Gilles also made her way onto the scoresheet with a goal for Lyon in their 7-0 win. Lyon is also through to the next stage of the competition.

England: Conti Cup

Sabrina D’Angelo and Cloé Lacasse both earned the start for Arsenal in their match against Reading. D’Angelo earned the clean sheet in their 6-0 win. Jayde Riviere was not included in Manchester United’s squad as they lost 2-1 to Manchester City. Deanne Rose started for Leicester City against Everton, scoring a goal before exiting the match at half-time. Leicester City won comfortably by a score of 5-1. Shelina Zadorsky was not available for West Ham United as they lost 2-1 to Birmingham City.

Finally, the match between Adriana Leon’s Aston Villa and Sunderland created quite the off-pitch drama. Leon entered at half and scored a goal for Aston Villa, helping Villa to win convincingly by a score of 7-0. However, Aston Villa’s manager fielded an ineligible player; the win, and Leon’s goal, did not count. As a result, Sunderland topped the group, and Aston Villa will proceed to the knock-outs as one of the top two runner-ups—displacing Riviere’s Manchester United. The draw for the quarter-finals was held this week The Canadians in action are:

Australia

Lysianne Proulx played the full match for Melbourne City in a 1-3 loss to Western United.

England: WSL

Buchanan and Lawrence were rested and remained on the bench for Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Brighton. Leon and Riviere faced off as Aston Villa and Manchester United played each other for the second time this season. Riviere and United were victorious by a score of 2-1. D. Rose came off the bench for Leicester City in a 1-0 win over Everton. In a critical fixture at the bottom of the table, Shelina Zadorsky played the full match for West Ham in their 2-1 win over Bristol City. Lastly, Arsenal won 2-0 against Liverpool, with Lacasse making a late cameo as a substitute in the 86th minute. 

France

Latifah Abdu and Gilles were both not included in Dijon and Lyon’s matchday squads, respectively, for the Coupe de France Féminine Round of 16. Dijon did not advance thanks to a 4-1 loss to Fleury, whereas Lyon dismantled Nantes 6-0.

Italy

Viens entered in the 53rd minute for Roma in their 2-0 win over Sampdoria. Julia Grosso had a great match for Juventus in their 2-2 draw against Fiorentina, registering one goal and one assist.

Portugal

Melissa Dagenais was the backup keeper for Damaiense in their 0-2 loss to Racing Almada. Olivia Smith was not available for Sporting CP; her team clearly missed her scoring capabilities as they drew Vilaverdense 0-0.

Player of the week:  Marie Alidou, for scoring the goal that secured the point sending Benfica to their first UWCL knockouts in history

Goals: 4 (Alidou x 1, Gilles x 1, Grosso x 1, D. Rose x 1)

Assists: 1 (Grosso x 1)