wf091: FA Women’s Super League (WSL) 2025/26 Week 20 & UEFA Women’s Champions League Semifinals Leg-1

[[ FA Women’s Super League (WSL) 2025/26 Week 20 ]]
[Blogger’s Preview on April 23rd]
City and Arsenal seem poised to steadily accumulate points. United and Chelsea are playing away games against Tottenham and Everton, respectively, for which complacency is dangerous. The bottom-of-the-table clash between Liverpool and West Ham is also a must-win match for both teams fighting to avoid relegation.

[Blogger’s Overall Review]
City suffered a painful comeback defeat. Miedema’s absence likely led to a significant role. Chelsea and London City secured big wins and accumulated points. Tottenham and United played to a goalless draw. West Ham won their bottom-of-the-table clash against Liverpool away from home. City, Tottenham, and Liverpool all had superior ball possession and shots, making their defeats and draws difficult to accept.
With two matches remaining, the title race depends on Arsenal. Chelsea are significantly behind City in goal difference and have no chance. City need two more wins to reach 55 points that is not available for Arsenal. Their opponents are the lower-ranked Liverpool and West Ham. Arsenal’s remaining opponents are Leicester City, Brighton & Hove, Aston Villa, Everton, and Liverpool. Winning all of them would put them on 53 points although the last four matches are packed tightly within 10 days. It’s still uncertain until May 16th.

[League Matches]
Match 1 (4/25): Brighton & Hove 3-2 City at Broadfield Stadium with attendance of 2,262.
Brighton’s Goals: M. Haley (45’+2, 65′), K. Seike (47′)
City’s goals: Kerolin (5′), K. Shaw (86′)
Ball Possession/ Shots :(45:55)/(9:17)
Nadeshiko full time played: M. Minami, A. Yamashita, Y. Hasegawa

Match 2 (4/26): Everton 1-4 Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Everton’s goal: Y. Momiki (10′)
Chelsea’s goals: S. Kerr (6′, 47′), E. Carpenter (53′), E. Cuthbert (70′)
Ball Possession/ Shots :(35:65)/(4:27)

Match 3 (4/26): London City 5-1 Leicester City at Copperjax Community Stadium.
London City’s goals: L. Corrales (32′), I. Goodwin (44′), M. Marcetto (59′), G. Geyoro (87′), F. Godfrey (89′)
Leicester’s goal: S. O’Brien (30′)
Ball Possession/ Shots :(63:37)/(19:3)
Nadeshiko full time played: S. Kumagai

Match 4 (4/26): Tottenham 0-0 United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with attendance of 7,310.
Ball Possession/ Shots :(57:43)/(22:10)
Nadeshiko full time played: T. Koga, M. Hamano, H. Miyazawa

Match 5 (4/26):  Liverpool 0-1  West Ham at BrewDog Stadium.
West Ham’s goal: C. Kapocs (6′ og)
Ball Possession/ Shots :(61:39)/(11:7)
Nadeshiko full time played: R. Shimizu, F. Nagano

Match 6 (4/29: Week 14): Arsenal  7-0 Leicester City at Emirates Stadium with attendance of 18,130.
Arsenal’s goals: F. Maanum (25′), S. Holmberg (27′, 48′), S. Blackstenius (41′, 45’+5), Mariona C. (55′), L. Williamson (63′)


[[ UEFA Women’s Champions League Semifinals Leg-1 ]]
[Blogger’s Preview on April 23rd, 2026]
“Bayern München 1-4 Barcelona” is predicted. Bayern’s defense needs to step up and work together as a team, but that’s probably not something to expect. They were soundly defeated 1-7 in the group stage against the same opponent. It will be even worse once Aitana Bonmati returns.
“Arsenal 2-0 OL Lyonnes” is predicted. This is a bit of a personal preference, but Arsenal is fairly strong right now.

[Blogger’s Review]
Supported by a home crowd of 31,000, Bayern’s defense seemed to hold strong. Barcelona dominated in attack (49:14) and ball possession (68:32). Bayern were aided by their own post. Left-back Franziska Kett, who scored the goal, was sent off and suspended for Leg 2. How will this affect the game? Barcelona might see the return of the absent Bonmati.
Arsenal also secured a narrow victory, aided by their own post and a misjudgment by the opposing goalkeeper. While Lyonnes scored the opening goal, Arsenal had 52:48 ball possession and dominated in attack (17:6). Arsenal surely wanted to extend their lead, but the winning goal came in the 83rd minute. Will Lyonnes change their tactics in Leg 2 in such a way as the blogger hates?

[Semifinals Leg-1 Results]
Bayern München 1-1 Barcelona at Fußball Arena München, Munich with attendance of 31,000.
Bayern’s goal: F. Kett (69′)
Barcelona’s goal: E. Pajor (8′)

Arsenal 2-1 OL Lyonnes at Arsenal Stadium, London with attendance of 26,758.
Arsenal’s goals: I. Engen (OG: 59′), O. Smith (83′)
Lyonnes’ goal: J. Brand (18′)