Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
Bompastor had already led the Blues to league cup glory and a sixth successive Women's Super League title in her first season in charge at Chelsea, who became the first side to go through a 22-match WSL campaign without a loss.
Baltimore opened the scoring with a penalty on the stroke of half-time then provided the assist for Catarina Macario to make it 2-0 when she nodded home with six minutes remaining in the second half.
Sandy Baltimore at the double ✌️#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/zPdGzXXwBq
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) May 18, 2025
France international Baltimore denied holders United any chance of a comeback when she lashed home at the start of 10 minutes added time to cap off the triumph.
England boss Sarina Wiegman was watching on at Wembley, where Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, who four days ago announced he had purchased a minority stake in Chelsea's women's side, took in the win alongside wife and 23-time tennis grand slam singles winner Serena Williams.
The contest got off to a cagey start, United with the slight advantage after winning a few set-pieces and forcing Hannah Hampton – battling Mary Earps to be England's first-choice keeper at July's Euros – to palm away Grace Clinton's corner.
Aggie Beever-Jones, who has enjoyed a splendid season with the WSL champions, was able to beat Millie Turner's challenge, but it did take the sting out of her effort, which was comfortably saved by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Chelsea then dealt with a cross at the other end of the pitch, but it was only cleared as far as the unmarked Dominique Janssen, who missed a big chance to hand United the lead when she fired just over the crossbar.
Mayra Ramirez made easy work of the United defence, skipping freely around a collection of red shirts and forcing Tullis-Joyce to react quickly before Lucy Bronze could take advantage and prod home.
The American keeper denied Beever-Jones again, this time diving to stop an effort that curled dangerously close to her right post.
But the Blues soon took the lead after Erin Cuthbert was brought down by Celin Bizet, who caught the Scotland international with a boot to the midriff.
PURE PASSION!! 😤#CFCW pic.twitter.com/c9WxX7cnrn
— (C)helsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 18, 2025
Baltimore picked out the bottom left with her spot-kick, and Tullis-Joyce dove the wrong way.
United substitute Ella Toone, who came on for Turner after the restart, got herself involved quickly, stinging Hampton's palms.
Bompastor made her first change shortly after the hour, replacing Ramirez with Macario, and United narrowly escaped conceding a second when Gabby George nearly turned a cross into her own net.
VAR silenced United's protests for a penalty, arguing Hampton had unjustly impeded Elisabeth Terland, before Beever-Jones missed a golden chance to double the Blues' advantage, skying an effort after she was teed up by Macario's backheel.
United States international Macario then added her own name to the scoresheet, rising highest amongst a sea of red shirts to meet Baltimore's free-kick and powering her header past Tullis-Joyce.
But the Blues were not finished scoring, and Baltimore bagged her brace, lashing home moments after 10 minutes of added time were announced.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Chelsea suffer second 'Club World Cup tax' blow as Borussia Dortmund REJECT £42m bid for Jamie Gittens... with Blues set to revisit signing when transfer window re-opens
Chelsea will fail to complete the signing of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund before the first of two transfer windows this summer shuts on Tuesday night. The Blues were hoping to add the 20-year-old to their ranks for the Club World Cup and had been in negotiations with Dortmund, upping their initial proposal to €50million (£42m) in a last-ditch attempt to secure the deal. Gittens has reportedly told Dortmund bosses that he wants to move to Stamford Bridge, with Enzo Maresca 's side ready to hand him a seven-year contract. However, reports in Germany have now claimed that the deal is off after the German club refused to budge on their asking price for the winger. Manchester City hold a 10 per cent sell-on clause for Gittens who left the club's academy in 2020 for Dortmund. A special transfer window, which allows clubs to complete deals before the tournament kicks off on Saturday, shuts on Tuesday at 7 pm before reopening next week. Chelsea and Dortmund are expected to return to the negotiating table after the summer tournament. Maresca's men travel to the United States on Friday and face LAFC in their opening fixture in Atlanta on Monday. While Gittens, who also had brief spells at Chelsea and Reading as a youngster, could be in the Dortmund squad for the tournament, which begins with a clash against Brazilian side Fluminense. During his time in the Bundesliga, Gittens made racked up 106 appearances, scoring 17 goals. Although, his breakout campaign came this past season, over the course of which he scored 12 goals and provided three assists in 48 games. The breakdown of his move is the second transfer collapse in a matter of hours for the west London club, who saw a transfer for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maigan fall by the wayside on Tuesday evening. The Blues had stepped up their interest in the Frenchman in recent days and hoped to complete a deal before the special transfer window closes. But the west Londoners were unwilling to pay Milan's fee, which they believe was inflated due to their will to sign him in time for the Club World Cup. It is understood that Milan want around £20m for Maignan, who has one year remaining on his contract at San Siro. A deal between AC Milan and the Conference League winners is now off, according to Fabrizio Romano, who cited Chelsea's frustration at a 'Club World Cup tax'. Chelsea currently have five goalkeepers on their books but none have fully convinced fans. Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Mike Penders and Kepa Arrizabalaga are all currently contracted at Stamford Bridge, but they have not persuaded the Chelsea hierarchy against looking for another keeper this window. However, following a breakdown in negotiations for Maignan, the Blues reportedly maintain 'full trust' in Petrovic, Sanchez, Jorgensen and Penders.
The Courier
an hour ago
- The Courier
Dundee United swoop for Aussie striker Zac Sapsford – with next arrival imminent
Dundee United have snapped up Australian prospect Zac Sapsford after the all-action forward opted to leave Western Sydney Wanderers. Sapsford, 22, has penned a three-year contract with the Tangerines. He is fresh from his most productive campaign in the A-League, notching nine goals and four assists in 26 appearances as the Wanderers finished fourth in the regular standings. They reached the playoffs before losing out to Melbourne Victory. Sapsford shone alongside Nicolas Milanovic – who joined Aberdeen for a six-figure fee this summer – in a youthful, dynamic front-three with Brandon Borello. Sapsford was on the books of the Sydneysiders for three years, having crossed the city divide from Sydney FC in 2022. He proceeded to score FIVE goals in six derbies against the Sky Blues, assuring cult hero status. It is hoped Sapsford will bring work ethic and mobility to the United attack, while he was named 'Playmaker of the Year' at the A-League end of season awards for 2025. United boss Jim Goodwin told United's official website: 'He's a dynamic forward with a killer instinct in the final third, off both feet or with his head. He also has the awareness to intelligently bring his teammates into play. 'We feel he's someone that will get our supporters out of their seats and we can rely on in big moments given his mentality and track record in those situations. 'Zac immediately bought into our vision for him and his development. I'm looking forward to closely monitoring his progression during his time in tangerine.' Sapsford becomes United's first capture of what promises to be a busy summer. The arrival of Moldova international Iurie Iovu likely to be rubber-stamped in the next 24 hours. United head of recruitment Ross Goodwin added: 'We fought off stiff competition from across the globe for his signature, so we're incredibly pleased to have the deal over the line so early in the window. 'We look forward to unveiling more exciting new signings for United fans to enjoy watching throughout the forthcoming seasons.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd have two transfer options on table after 'drastic Bryan Mbeumo U-turn'
Manchester United have a big decision to make in their pursuit of Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo after reportedly seeing their first bid for the player rejected A crossroads stands before Manchester United in their hunt to sign Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo this summer. And with transfer funds not exactly flowing at Old Trafford right now, it could prove definitive for their other investments in the coming months. United's opening offer of £55million for the player was reportedly turned down by Brentford. And though another bid is believed to be imminent, Ruben Amorim's side would do well to take stock of their options before launching a follow-up. Despite finishing at an all-time low of 15th in the Premier League and failing to qualify for Europe next term, United at least have some cards in their hand. That's after The Athletic reported Mbeumo, who was keen to join a Champions League club, now has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford despite interest from the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle. That U-turn, after both those clubs were linked with Mbeumo in January, tilts the transfer battle in United's favour. Tottenham have also been mooted as a suitor amid talks that Thomas Frank is set to take over in north London, though murmurs suggest Mbeumo values the United cause above Spurs' upcoming European adventure. It's a similar sequence of events that saw Amorim land Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha in such swift fashion. The Brazil international was keen to play for United above all else next term, underlining United still have serious pulling power despite their absence from European competition next season. It's believed the Bees are seeking upwards of £60m to part ways with their player, an almighty fee considering United already shelled out £62.5m for Cunha. But if the Red Devils want their man they may just have to suck it up. Man United's second option is to finance the deal by parting ways with Alejandro Garnacho, which many might deem an inevitability already this summer. Argentinian newspaper Ole has suggested AC Milan have opened talks to sign Garnacho and are seeking a deal worth £50m. That's £15m short of United's supposed valuation of the player, though it may be enough to convince them, considering Amorim's difficult relationship with the 20-year-old. That sum also wouldn't quite cover the outlay required to recruit Mbeumo, who would come at a higher cost to the wage bill. However, it's a convenient route to offloading one troublesome asset while signing what would effectively be his replacement. Except Mbeumo plays almost exclusively on the right wing, while the majority of Garnacho's minutes are spent more centrally and on the left flank. It also poses the question as to what lies in store for Cunha and whether he's intended to start up front, behind the striker or out wide. Amad Diallo has just started coming into his own under Amorim, and he too operates almost solely off the right. After several years of overcoming injuries, managerial changes and loan spells away from Old Trafford, it would be a shame to see the 22-year-old's progress halted now. Yet United are in dire need of results now and can ill afford to bid their time on the hope of what may come down the line. In that sense, Mbeumo would be a proven Premier League upgrade based on what's been seen of the player in recent seasons. The Cameroon international finished this season with 20 goals and eight assists and appeared in each of Brentford's 38 league games. But he wouldn't be the first big investment to impress elsewhere before falling flat under the increased pressure at United. The Red Devils will be expected to fork out a heavy sum regardless of how Mbeumo arrives at the club. But the manner in which they balance the books could play a major role in how far the club can afford to invest elsewhere this summer.
