Arsenal and Chelsea a step closer to European glory – Women's Football Weekly podcast
On this week's Guardian Women's Football Weekly: the panel discuss both Arsenal and Chelsea's progression into the semi-finals of the Champions League.
With the international break looming, the relegation battle is on. Liverpool lost at home against Aston Villa, who moved out of the drop zone and four points clear of Crystal Palace.
The panel discuss the rest of the WSL fixtures and catch up on the latest from the Championship. They also discuss Sarina Wiegman's new England squad before the double-header with Belgium in the Nations League.
Plus the pod chew over the FA's plans to drop the expansion of the lower leagues and what that decision could mean.
Join the Fantasy League this season on FantasyWSL.net. Code GUARDIANWFW.
Sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter – all you need to do is search 'Moving the Goalposts sign up' or follow this link.
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Kasey McAteer scores as Republic of Ireland and Senegal play out draw in Dublin
The Irish delivered a performance full of industry in their first-ever encounter with the Senegalese at the Aviva Stadium. Leicester's McAteer and Ipswich's Jack Taylor made their first starts for Ireland with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson looking at his options ahead of the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Senegal, ranked 19th by FIFA, some 41 places higher than the Republic, named an experimental side with only two starters remaining from their recent World Cup qualifying win over Togo. The west African side started brightly, controlling possession in the early stages and keeping the pressure on Ireland with two corners. However, Ireland grew in stature throughout the first half and opened the scoring through McAteer in the 21st minute when Senegal failed to clear a corner. Ryan Manning crossed and Nathan Collins headed it on to McAteer. His initial header was wonderfully saved by Yehvann Diouf, but the forward kept his composure to control the rebound and fire it home. The Irish stayed on the front foot for the rest of the half, showing good energy as they moved the ball quickly between defence and attack, seeming to rattle the Senegalese, who were defending a 20-match unbeaten run. Ireland's Player of the Match against Senegal is our goalscorer – Kasey McAteer! 🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 Antoine Mendy had the visitors' best chance of the half, but he screwed his shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, recently signed by Brentford from Liverpool, had virtually nothing to do before the break. The second half started in similar positive fashion for Ireland and Southampton's Will Smallbone should have doubled their lead but shot straight at the keeper. Ryan Manning attempted to fire in the rebound but it was brilliantly blocked by Mendy. With the game opening up, Senegal almost equalised moments later when Kelleher got the faintest of touches onto Krepin Diatta's header which crashed against the crossbar. After the hour mark, both sides made a series of changes, with Senegal introducing promising 21-year-old Lamine Camara, who has already played in the Champions League for Monaco, and Crystal Palace's FA Cup winner Ismaila Sarr. Camara almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected onto a post before being scrambled away by Kelleher. The threat from Senegal grew as the game wore on. However Ismail Jakob's ambitious effort to score from outside the box sailed high over the bar. The Irish invited pressure by defending deeper late in the second half. McAteer, who had run tirelessly throughout, was replaced in the 80th minute as was Smallbone as the Republic turned towards fresh legs. However, Senegal's pressure told when substitute Sarr poked home in the 82nd minute shortly after Kelleher had saved with his feet. Senegal had a free-kick on the edge of the box deep in injury time as tempers flared between the two teams, but Camara failed to get it over the defending wall. The match did not have the feel of a friendly as both Ireland and Senegal went for the win, but ultimately both will be satisfied with the draw.
South Wales Argus
11 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Kasey McAteer scores as Republic of Ireland and Senegal play out draw in Dublin
The Irish delivered a performance full of industry in their first-ever encounter with the Senegalese at the Aviva Stadium. Leicester's McAteer and Ipswich's Jack Taylor made their first starts for Ireland with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson looking at his options ahead of the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Republic of Ireland's Robbie Brady (right) and Senegal's Abdallah Sima battle for the ball (Evan Treacy/PA) Senegal, ranked 19th by FIFA, some 41 places higher than the Republic, named an experimental side with only two starters remaining from their recent World Cup qualifying win over Togo. The west African side started brightly, controlling possession in the early stages and keeping the pressure on Ireland with two corners. However, Ireland grew in stature throughout the first half and opened the scoring through McAteer in the 21st minute when Senegal failed to clear a corner. Ryan Manning crossed and Nathan Collins headed it on to McAteer. His initial header was wonderfully saved by Yehvann Diouf, but the forward kept his composure to control the rebound and fire it home. The Irish stayed on the front foot for the rest of the half, showing good energy as they moved the ball quickly between defence and attack, seeming to rattle the Senegalese, who were defending a 20-match unbeaten run. Ireland's Player of the Match against Senegal is our goalscorer – Kasey McAteer! 🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 Antoine Mendy had the visitors' best chance of the half, but he screwed his shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, recently signed by Brentford from Liverpool, had virtually nothing to do before the break. The second half started in similar positive fashion for Ireland and Southampton's Will Smallbone should have doubled their lead but shot straight at the keeper. Ryan Manning attempted to fire in the rebound but it was brilliantly blocked by Mendy. With the game opening up, Senegal almost equalised moments later when Kelleher got the faintest of touches onto Krepin Diatta's header which crashed against the crossbar. After the hour mark, both sides made a series of changes, with Senegal introducing promising 21-year-old Lamine Camara, who has already played in the Champions League for Monaco, and Crystal Palace's FA Cup winner Ismaila Sarr. Camara almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected onto a post before being scrambled away by Kelleher. Republic of Ireland's Will Smallbone (centre) attempts a shot towards goal during the international friendly (Evan Treacy/PA) The threat from Senegal grew as the game wore on. However Ismail Jakob's ambitious effort to score from outside the box sailed high over the bar. The Irish invited pressure by defending deeper late in the second half. McAteer, who had run tirelessly throughout, was replaced in the 80th minute as was Smallbone as the Republic turned towards fresh legs. However, Senegal's pressure told when substitute Sarr poked home in the 82nd minute shortly after Kelleher had saved with his feet. Senegal had a free-kick on the edge of the box deep in injury time as tempers flared between the two teams, but Camara failed to get it over the defending wall. The match did not have the feel of a friendly as both Ireland and Senegal went for the win, but ultimately both will be satisfied with the draw.
The Sun
15 minutes ago
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Arsenal fans expecting '30 assists a year with Sesko' after Martin Odegaard's sublime pass to Haaland for Norway goal
ARSENAL fans are banking on Martin Odegaard to bag 30 assists next season, after seeing him partnered up with a "proper top-tier cf". Odegaard, 26, struggled to find his best form for the Gunners after returning from a major ankle injury. 5 5 5 5 5 Part of the reason for that lack of form was due to Arsenal being without a recognised frontman for much of the season. Kai Havertz was preferred in striker role by Mikel Arteta when available, but when he suffered a season-ending injury in February the Gunners opted to play Mikel Merino there. Merino, to his credit, performed well, but fans of the north London club still called for them to sign a top tier striker to get winning major honours again, rather than having near misses. Arsenal transfer chiefs are said to be working to find that player, with Benjamin Sesko heavily linked with a transfer to the Emirates from RB Leipzig. Sesko, 22, has a similar profile to Manchester City ace Erling Haaland. Fans watching Norway 's World Cup qualifier with Italy on Friday had the chance to see Odegaard in action with Haaland. And it's safe to say the link-up has raised expectations among the Arsenal faithful for next season. With the score already 2-0 after goals from Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa, Odegaard picked up the ball in midfield in the 42nd minute. He then spotted an expertly-timed run from Haaland and played a perfectly weighted pass into the 24-year-old's path. Haaland then dribbled the ball around Champions League winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before squeezing the ball into an empty net. Arsenal fans reacting to the goal on social media were thrilled to see Odegaard's contribution. One fan said: "He's feasting this season with Sesko. He finally gets a runner." A second said: "Teta needs to give the man willing runners." A third added: "He'd have 30 assists a season with a proper top-tier cf." Another said: "All he needs is a big striker." A fifth said: "Sesko is gonn eat nice." A sixth wrote: "See that vision. Sesko will cook." The most recent reports suggested Sesko would cost around £60million, despite his club wanting to bag £85m for him. Elsewhere, they have been linked with a and Chelsea outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga as they eye a back-up for David Raya. Norway's win tonight also put them in a strong position at the top of Group I, with three wins in as many games.
