Hayley Raso scored on her Tottenham Hotspur debut, while Clare Polkinghorne headed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner for Kristianstads DFF.
Read our review of the Matildas Abroad action below.
England
Chelsea got the Sonia Bompastor era off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. In good signs for Villa, the game was an even one, with the same number of shots for each team and the away side edging possession. However, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s first-half goal proved the difference. Sam Kerr remains unavailable for Chelsea due to injury.
Manchester United sent a warning shot to the rest of the competition with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over West Ham. Geyse got the scoring started in the first half before Leah Galton and Grace Clinton made sure of the result. West Ham’s new captain Katrina Gorry started in midfield before being withdrawn in the second half.
Brighton & Hove Albion are top of the league after round one, defeating Everton 4-0 at Broadfield Stadium. Japanese international Kiko Seike was the hattrick hero as the Seagulls overwhelmed Everton’s defence. Clare Wheeler started and played the full game for Everton in midfield, while Charlie Rule was unavailable for Brighton’s matchday squad.
Title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in front of a huge crowd at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners took the lead early through Frida Maanum – assisted by Caitlin Foord - before City turned it around. Goals to former Arsenal legend Vivianne Miedema and Jess Park either side of the break gave them the lead. Substitute Beth Mead made sure fans didn’t leave North London disappointed, scoring in the 81st minute and ensuring her side secured a point.
Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross both started the match for Arsenal. Alanna Kennedy was a first-half substitute for City, while Mary Fowler entered the field of play in the second. Steph Catley remains unavailable for the Gunners with a lower leg injury.
Newly promoted Crystal Palace had a rude awakening of the reality of the WSL, falling 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Hayley Raso scored the first goal – a stunning run from midfield and pinpoint finish – before Jess Naz, Drew Spence and Olga Ahtinen made sure of the result in the second half.
Bit of Razzle Dazzle ?pic.twitter.com/V4yn78UAKR
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) September 22, 2024
Raso and Clare Hunt both started the match in their debuts for Spurs, while Charli Grant was a second-half substitute.
Liverpool and Leicester City played out a 1-1 draw on the weekend. Liverpool dominated shots and possession and scored first through Sophia Román Haug, but Jutta Rantala’s equaliser was enough for Leicester to earn a point. Teagan Micah was not in Liverpool’s matchday squad while Courtney Nevin was a second-half substitute for Leicester.
France
Lyon got off to a flying start as they looked to defend their league title, defeating FC Fleury 6-2. Lindsay Horan and Melchie Dumornay scored two goals apiece as Lyon ran riot over their less fancied opponents. Ellie Carpenter started the match in the defence.
United States
Racing Louisville came from behind to defeat North Carolina Courage 2-1 over the weekend. The Courage took the lead through Brianna Pinto in the first half before Emma Sears equalised. Bethany Balcer scored the winner for Louisville in stoppage time, slotting home a penalty in dramatic fashion. Cortnee Vine was unavailable for the Courage.
An early goal to Ludmila meant that the Chicago Red Stars defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0. Despite the Wave dominating shots and possession they weren’t able to find the breakthrough past a stout Red Stars defence. Emily van Egmond started for the Wave while Kaitlyn Torpey was unavailable due to an injury.
Sweden
A late Clare Polkinghorne header saw Kristianstads DFF defeat Vittsjö GIK 1-0. The game looked as if it was heading to a scoreless conclusion before the centre-back scored from a corner to deliver a memorable finish. Polkinghorne and Remy Siemsen both played the full match for Kristianstads, while Amy Sayer remains unavailable as she continues her recovery from injury.
AIK Fotboll secured a vital point as they drew 2-2 with Brommapojkarna. Adelisa Grabus’ second-half goal was enough for the relegation-threatened side to secure a point. Jada Whyman was unavailable for AIK due to injury.
Denmark
Fortuna Hjørring has inflicted a blow to FC Nordsjælland’s title hopes, defeating them 2-0 on the weekend. The result is the first dropped points for Nordsjælland this season and sees them overtaken in first place. Winonah Heatley started and played the full match for Nordsjælland.