Charli Grant could become the 12th Australian to play in an FA Cup final – and the third CommBank Matilda to lift the trophy – when Tottenham Hotspur take on Manchester United at the iconic Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Lyon, PSG and Paris FC participate in the French playoff semi-finals.
Read our preview of the weekend’s Matildas Abroad action below.
England
This weekend in English women’s football is dedicated to the FA Cup Final.
Manchester United are taking on Charli Grant’s Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 11.30 pm AEST. History will be made irrespective of the winner, as neither side have lifted the trophy before. For United, it is their second FA Cup final, having been defeated 1-0 thanks to a Sam Kerr goal last year. Spurs have never reached this stage of the competition.
United go into the match as favourites, particularly taking into account that Spurs have never beaten them. However, anything can happen in a one-off cup tie, and Robert Vilahamn’s side will back themselves to find a way to get past United this time.
Grant will likely start on the bench, but is a regular substitute for Tottenham recently. She will be hoping to become the third Australian to lift the FA Cup trophy on Sunday.
France
The play-offs begin in the Division 1 Féminine this weekend.
In the first semi-final, PSG will take on Paris FC on Sunday, 5 am AEST. PSG go into the game as favourites but it will be a close contest, the city rivals having been neck-and-neck in their games this season. Clare Hunt made her return to PSG from injury midweek in a heavily rotated lineup, and will be hoping to be in the matchday squad for the playoffs – but will likely participate from the bench. Sarah Hunter has only made one substitute appearance for Paris FC this year.
Meanwhile, Lyon will face Reims on Monday, 1 am AEST. Lyon will be expected to advance to the final and win the title but as always, nothing is certain in one-off playoffs, as they found out in the French Cup this year. Division 1 right-back of the year Ellie Carpenter is expected to start at right-back.
Sweden
Kristianstads DFF take on Trelleborg on Sunday, 11pm AEST. Trelleborg are yet to secure three points this season while Kristianstads are sitting in a healthy fourth place, with three wins from five. Clare Polkinghorne is expected to start while Amy Sayer is unavailable due to injury.
Second-place BK Häcken will look to maintain their undefeated start to the season when they host third-place Rosengård on Tuesday, 3 am AEST. While still very early in the season it is an important benchmark as to where the teams are in the title race. Aivi Luik will be unavailable for Häcken through injury.
United States
After a midweek win against Utah Royals, the San Diego Wave will host Gotham FC on Monday, 9.30 am AEST. The two sides currently sit eighth and seventh on the table respectively and will be hoping for three points to launch them into the top half of the table. Kaitlyn Torpey and Emily van Egmond will both be available for the Wave.
Spain
Real Madrid will face Atletico Madrid in the derby on Sunday, 5 am AEST. Real are confirmed to finish in second place but there is plenty of pride on the line against one of their biggest rivals. Hayley Raso will be available for Real Madrid.
Denmark
FC Nordsjaelland will travel to take on Aarhus on Saturday, 11pm AEST. Nordsjaelland remain top of the Elitedivisionen by a single point and every match is huge at this stage of the season, with four league games remaining. Winonah Heatley has been a big part of Nordsjaelland’s success and is expected to start on the weekend.