Matildas Abroad Review: Heatley's AS Roma early Serie A leaders & Carpenter picks up an assist

Winonah Heatley's AS Roma are emerging as front-runners in Serie A after two wins from two sees them top of the Serie A table.

Meanwhile, Daniela Galic scored yet again in the Damallsvenskan, while the Portland Thorns remain in the box seat for a playoff spot in the NWSL.

Read our review of all the action below.

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England

Chelsea extended their domestic unbeaten run, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0. Keira Walsh’s goal in the second half was enough to see them walk away with all three points and remain top of the WSL table. Clare Hunt started for Spurs, while Charli Grant was a second-half substitute. Sam Kerr was introduced for Chelsea in the 78th minute, while Ellie Carpenter started and picked up the assist on the winner.

Ellie Carpenter in action during the Barclays Women s Super League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Kingsmeadow on October 12, 2025 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo: Yaroslav Dunka/ SPP via IMAGO)

London City Lionesses piled on the pain for West Ham, defeating them 1-0. Kosovare Asllani’s 68th-minute goal was the difference between the two sides. Katrina Gorry started and played the full game for the Hammers, while Alanna Kennedy was a second-half substitute for the Lionesses.

Despite having the overwhelming number of chances, Aston Villa could only pick up a point in a scoreless draw with Leicester City. Emily van Egmond started as the centre forward for the Foxes.

Manchester United defeated Everton 4-1 to continue their undefeated start to the season. Everton had the lead for much of the game thanks to Honoka Hayashi’s 16th-minute goal, but United ran away with it in the second half, with Jess Park scoring a late brace. Clare Wheeler played the full game for the Toffees in midfield.

An early own goal helped Arsenal squeeze past Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0. The Gunners struggled offensively but did just enough to secure the three points they were after. Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley started for Arsenal, as did Charlie Rule for Brighton. Kyra Cooney-Cross was a second-half substitute for the Gunners.

Manchester City came from behind to defeat Liverpool 2-1. Aoba Fujino scored the winner in the 86th minute, with Liverpool not able to hold on for their first point of the season. Mary Fowler remains unavailable for City as she continues to rehabilitate her ACL injury.

United States

The Portland Thorns were defeated by Orlando Pride 1-0. They conceded in a heartbreaking fashion, an own goal in second-half stoppage time consigning them to defeat. The result means that they have not secured a playoff place just yet, but remain in the box seat to do so. Mackenzie Arnold started for the Thorns, while Kaitlyn Torpey was an unused substitute.

The North Carolina Courage drew 1-1 with the Washington Spirit. Shinomi Koyama scored late to secure the point. They’ll now need to win both of their final two games and rely on other results going their way to participate in the playoffs. Cortnee Vine was a second-half substitute for the Courage.

Sweden

Daniela Galic was on the scoresheet once again for Vittsjö GIK as they narrowly defeated Brommapojkarna 3-2. Vittsjö were pegged back after leading 2-0, before a Kajsa Lind goal won them the game late on. Galic started for Vittsjö.

Malmö FF defeated Linköping 2-1. A first-half brace from Sara Fornes saw them secure all three points. Courtney Nevin started and played the full match for Malmö.

A late goal from Jessica Wik saw Kristianstads DFF fall 1-0 to Norrköping. The result all but knocks Kristianstads out of contention for European places. Remy Siemsen and Amy Sayer both started for Kristianstads.

AIK Fotboll played in one of the most action-packed games of the season, defeating Alingsås 6-3. AIK were comfortably winning 5-0 before three goals in the space of nine minutes for Alingsås gave them hope of a miracle point. Aleksandra Bogucka’s stoppage-time goal secured the result. Jada Whyman was not available for AIK.

Germany

Eintracht Frankfurt took the lead twice, but ultimately fell 3-2 to Freiburg. A late brace to Selina Vobian saw Freiburg take all three points. Hayley Raso was a late substitute for Frankfurt as they chased the game in stoppage time.

TSG Hoffenheim were defeated 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen. Goals from Loreen Bender and Vanessa Fudalla were the difference between the two sides. Jamilla Rankin started at left-back for Hoffenheim.

Italy

AS Roma left it late, but came from behind to defeat AC Milan 2-1. Goals to Alice Corelli and a stoppage-time winner for Manuela Giugliano kept Roma top of the table after two games. Winonah Heatley played the full game at centre-back for Roma in her Serie A debut.

On the flipside, Sassuolo suffered heartbreak as a stoppage-time goal from Danielle Cox saw them lose 2-1 to Parma. Jessika Nash played the full game for Sassuolo in the heart of defence while Jacynta Galabadaarachchi was a second-half substitute.

Como picked up a huge win, defeating Juventus 1-0. Nadine Nischler’s second-half goal separated the two sides. Alex Chidiac was a second-half substitute for Como to make her Serie A debut.