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Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
UEFA Women's Euro 2025: What's At Stake For The 10 Top Players
From Ballon d'Or winners to high-scoring forwards to veteran playmakers, these are the stars who'll grab the headlines at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Sixteen nations will aim for glory at this edition of the tournament, taking place across Switzerland from July 2-27. You'll be able to watch all 31 games across FOX Sports, culminating with the final on July 27 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland (12 p.m. ET, FOX). What's at stake for these players and teams? Plenty. For England, it's about winning a consecutive Euro championship after seeing some of their top stars from the 2022 tournament retire. For Spain, a new piece of silverware to go with the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup title would further cement their legacy. Each squad in the tournament has standout players, but these 10 stars – including several those two co-favorite sides – will be the focus of fans and opponents alike. Let's dive in: Aitana Bonmatí | Midfielder | Spain What's At Stake: We saw the disappointment in Bonmati's face after Barcelona lost to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final earlier this spring, so you can bet that will be a motivating factor for the two-time reigning Ballon d'Or champion. Not only that, but the last time we saw Spain on the world's stage was the 2024 Paris Olympics when La Roja lost to Brazil in the semifinal match. Bonmati has won a lot of trophies – including the 2023 World Cup – but Spain has never won the Euro's before and she will be anxious to lead her team to a title. - Laken Litman Kadidiatou Diani | Forward | France What's At Stake: In 2023, Diani won the Silver Boot at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In 2024, Diani was the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League. But the 30-year-old forward has never won an international trophy for her team, either at club level or with Les Bleues. This summer represents her next chance, and it's a good one: After Spain and England, France is the bookies' next favorite to claim the title in Switzerland. - Doug McIntyre Caroline Graham Hansen | Forward | Norway What's At Stake: Hansen, who finished second in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting, is one of Norway's top players right now. The Barcelona winger – who, like Bonmati, will be anxious to do well this summer after losing out on a Champions League title – is creative, fun to watch and probably a bit under the radar despite her dominance on the pitch. Norway has a strong group of players, which also includes more familiar stars like Ada Hegerberg. But if this group is going to make a run at winning its first European championship since 1993, it will take a massive effort from the 30-year-old Hansen. - Litman Chloe Kelly | Forward | England What's At Stake: Who could forget that Kelly was the hero of the 2022 Euros? She scored the game-winning goal in extra time to give England a thrilling 2-1 win over Germany, and promptly ripped off her jersey in celebration. Since then, Kelly has been up and down for the Lionesses. But she's recently found her footing at Arsenal, where she transferred this spring, before helping the club win the Champions League. The 27-year-old forward is playing more confidently than ever and is anxious to help England win a second title. - Litman Clàudia Pina | Forward | Spain What's At Stake: There's so much talent from Barcelona playing in these Euros, it's easy to forget the Spanish club didn't win the Champions League title this season. Pina was one of the reasons why her club made a run to the title game though, coming in as the top scorer in Champions League with 10 goals. She's had some time to rest and recover following a long and laborious season, and Spain certainly hopes she's in top form to be a threat in front of goal this summer. - Litman Alexia Putellas | Midfielder | Spain What's At Stake: The two-time Ballon d'Or winner tore her ACL on the eve of Euro 2022, torpedoing Spain's chances of winning its first continental title. Putellas returned in time to occupy a supporting role as La Roja won the 2023 World Cup, but another knee injury prevented the Barcelona superstar from participating as Spain claimed last year's UEFA Nations League. This summer's Euros, in other words, marks the first major tournament for a fully healthy Putellas since the 2019 Women's World Cup. - McIntyre Alessia Russo | Forward | England What's At Stake: Russo is coming off arguably her best club season ever – she helped lead Arsenal to a Champions League title and won the WSL Golden Boot (12 goals). Now, she's looking to take England back to the top of Europe by winning a second straight Euro championship. Russo played in the 2022 final, coming on as a second-half sub and was on the England squad that lost to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final. While the 26-year-old forward is still young in her career, she's won a lot and if the Lionesses win it all this summer, she'll be a major reason why. - Litman Lea Schüller | Forward | Germany What's At Stake: Schüller's international strike rate is gaudy, with 52 goals in 75 appearances for Germany. It hasn't translated into silverware, however: the 27-year-old's career with the Frauenteam has been marked by near misses, including a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics, another third-place finish in that year's Nations League and a heartbreaking loss to England at the Euro 2022 final. If the Germans are to win their ninth European title this July (and their first in more than a decade), Schüller will play a major role. - McIntyre Keira Walsh | Midfielder | England What's At Stake: The Lionesses' maestro is looking to lead the defending champions to their second consecutive European title. Walsh orchestrated England's unforgettable Euro 2022 triumph over Germany on home soil three years ago, but she struggled mightily in the 2023 World Cup final loss to Spain. Now 28 and the Lionesses' vice-captain, the Chelsea standout will be highly motivated to put that setback right this summer. - McIntyre Daniëlle van de Donk | Midfielder | Netherlands What's At Stake: The high point of Van de Donk's 15-year international career came in 2017, when she helped the Oranje win Euro 2017. But the Dutch couldn't turn that triumph into trend; they lost the World Cup final to the United States two years later, then bombed out of the 2020 Olympics, Euro 2022 and World Cup 2023 in the quarterfinals. The Netherlands failed to qualify for last summer's Paris Games. With her 34th birthday approaching in August, this could be her final opportunity to add another major trophy before hanging up her cleats. - McIntyre Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman . Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ ByDougMcIntyre . recommended Get more from UEFA Women's EURO Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
The Independent
19-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Arsenal shocked by a blow they didn't see coming in Champions League semi-finals
It was the burst of light to silence the noise of the Emirates. Arsenal had Lyon on the ropes, clawing themselves level at last through Mariona Caldentey 's penalty after subjecting the eight-time Women's Champions League winners to an onslaught of pressure. A 1-1 draw to take into the semi-final second leg would have been felt deserved and, if anything, Arsenal may have come away regretting their missed chances against the French champions. But, thanks to the sensational Melchie Dumornay, Arsenal require another comeback if they are to reach their first Champions League final since 2007. The dramatic late intervention from the best young player in the world came four minutes after Caldentey's equaliser and was the sucker-punch Arsenal did not see coming. For Dumornay, the 21-year-old Haitian star, her surging run through the middle of Emily Fox and Steph Catley and finish over Manuela Zinsberger was the moment she properly announced her arrival on the European stage. Dumornay had troubled English opposition before, lighting up Haiti's World Cup defeat to the Lionesses in Brisbane, and had signalled her threat and talent in the first half with an audacious chip from 35 yards that hit the bar. The forward still came away with the decisive moment, in what was Lyon's only shot at the Arsenal goal in the second half. But Lyon's danger lingered under the surface and they showed they could strike in seconds. Like Kadi Diani's first-half opener, Dumornay punished Arsenal switching off for a moment. Lyon were always going to be a far tougher challenge than the one Arsenal faced in defeating Real Madrid in the semi-finals. But Renee Slegers and her side were applauded by the raucous home crowd on their lap of the Emirates, after a second-half display that delivered on the hunger and intensity that the Dutch coach had called for. It was a fine performance from Arsenal, but one that just lacked a touch more composure in the finer details. Lyon's obvious strengths in behind meant Arsenal's press had to be perfect to play the high line, but Joe Montemurro's side played through it to perfection to take the lead in the tie. From a Christiane Endler goal-kick, two passes allowed Lindsey Heaps to drive forward from the touchline and another straight ball released the pace of Diani. Kept onside by Fox, who did not step up in time, the France international was given all the time and space she needed to fire across Zinsberger. The Lyon celebrations were delayed by the offside flag but Diani looked convinced and knew she was onside. Lyon should have had the lead even earlier when Zinsberger spilled Selma Bacha's low drive and Danielle van de Donk somehow turned wide against her former team when it looked easier to score. It was an ominous, assured start from the eight-time winners, even with their captain Wendie Renard and the former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg only on the bench. But this Lyon side was led by a new star in Dumornay, who started at the tip of their fluid front three and caused Arsenal problems with a tendency to drop into midfield. Just as Arsenal started to show signs of their press clicking into action, Dumornay almost cut through it in style: a stunning chip from distance clipping the crossbar with Zinsberger beaten. After Madrid, Arsenal were inches away from falling two goals behind again in the Champions League. But the fight-back began in the first leg. Endler was not tested in the first half but Arsenal went close with Frida Maanum heading at the end of a promising spell. Arsenal had been boosted by Alessia Russo 's return from injury and the striker almost equalised on the stroke of half-time. The lack of Renard's towering presence in the box was almost exposed as Katie McCabe clipped in a cross and Russo's header looped onto the bar. Untroubled in the first half, Endler faced a flurry of chances after the restart. Endler was forced to come off her line to smother a chance for Caitlin Foord, with Russo's follow-up blocked. Mead should have scored from Maanum's excellent cross, then Blackstenius should have shot when Endler came off her line and her clearance fell straight to the Arsenal substitute, but she tried to find Russo and Lyon recovered. Arsenal scored three times in the second half against Madrid and on another day could have had the same here. Still, Endler's decision-making was beginning to offer Arsenal encouragement and, in the 75th minute, they were handed a lifeline. From an inswinging McCabe corner, Endler attempted to punch the cross away but caught Leah Williamson in the head with her gloves. Arsenal did not appeal, with Russo's glancing header drifting wide, but VAR intervened: Caldentey stepped up and sent Endler the wrong way to deservedly level. The Emirates and crowd of 40,000 was the loudest it had been, only for the noise to be punctured. Lyon had offered virtually nothing in the second half but regained their lead within four minutes of Caldentey's equaliser. In a flash, Dumornay collected a pass from substitute Amel Majri, lowered her head, and pulled away from Fox and Catley before finishing past Zinsberger. Lyon led thanks to a moment, and it leaves Arsenal with it all to do in France.
The Guardian
19-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Melchie Dumornay's instant reply puts Lyon in control against Arsenal
It was an afternoon of missed opportunities for Arsenal as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Lyon in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final. Melchie Dumornay's late winner silenced the 40,000-strong Emirates Stadium crowd after Mariona Caldentey's penalty had cancelled out Kadidiatou Diani's opener. Joe Montemurro returned to his former stomping ground in north London with a side who are high in confidence, full of star quality and technical brilliance. The eight-times champions are the only side unbeaten in the competition this season, scoring 25 times and conceding only two on the way to the final four. The fact that there was no space in the starting lineup for the all-time Champions League top goalscorer, Ada Hegerberg, illustrates the potency of this Lyon attack. The dynamic trio of Tabitha Chawinga, Dumornay and Diani all started up front, having amassed 11 goals between them in this competition. The one blow for Montemurro was the absence of Wendie Renard who was fit enough only for the bench. The 21-year-old defender Alice Sombath took her place in defence for only her second Champions League start. Arsenal themselves have been creatively brilliant at times in recent months and they returned to the Emirates after putting five past Leicester in midweek. There was a big boost for the Gunners with the return to fitness of Alessia Russo who took the place of Stina Blackstenius up front. The England international is in fine form and has six Champions League goals this season, second to only Barcelona's Clàudia Pina. Manchester United's hopes of claiming the Women's Super League title suffered a setback as they were held in a goalless draw at West Ham. United bossed possession and kept West Ham under pressure but failed to make it pay against the determined hosts, who threatened themselves late on and were worthy of their point. The result leaves United five points behind leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand and face United on 30 April. Liverpool moved above Brighton into fifth place with a 2-1 win on the south coast. Olivia Smith turned in an excellent cross from Ceri Holland to open the scoring just two minutes in and Holland set up the second just before half-time, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to tee up Leanne Kiernan. Nineteen-year-old Michelle Agyemang pulled one back for Brighton at the start of the second half to set Liverpool nerves jangling, but they hung on for victory. The hosts' nerves were evident from the start as they struggled for rhythm. Loose passes, poor touches and an early yellow card for Caitlin Foord set the tone for much of the first half while Lyon patiently lay in wait to pick Arsenal off with the speed of their attack. Danielle van de Donk had the first significant opportunity, inexplicably firing into the side-netting with only Manuela Zinsberger to beat. The visitors did not have to wait too long, however, before they found the breakthrough with a Diani goal that exemplified Montemurro's gameplan. With the Arsenal back line pushing up high, the French international raced through before finishing with aplomb. The hosts thought they had been given a reprieve when the assistant raised the offside flag only to be denied by VAR. The replay showed that Emily Fox had played her onside by inches. Lyon had found their groove with their front three causing all kinds of problems for the Arsenal defence. The hosts did have a huge opportunity when Frida Maanum sent a free header wide before both sides hit the woodwork – Dumornay and Russo respectively – before the break. And after half-time a rejuvenated Arsenal took the game to a more sluggish Lyon. A glove from Christiane Endler denied a certain goal from Foord before Russo's follow-up shot was cleared desperately off the line. Missed opportunities became the theme of the afternoon for the Gunners who continued to put Lyon's defence under pressure. Mead headed over the bar from an unmarked position before Maanum did the same just minutes later. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Arsenal were given a reprieve when VAR intervened to award them a penalty. As a corner flew in, Endler had connected with Leah Williamson's head rather than the ball, leading to the referee, Alina Pesu, to point to the spot. The noise reverberated around the Emirates as Caldentey stepped up to coolly convert her penalty. The hosts' joy lasted a mere four minutes, however, as Lyon struck back. A turn of speed from Dumornay saw the young Haitian slice through Arsenal's backline to ensure her side had the advantage heading into the second leg. The strike sapped all the energy out of the Emirates crowd and the home players as they succumbed to defeat. These two will meet again in Lyon next Sunday with Slegers' side knowing they have work to do if they are to turn this tie around.
Forbes
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Lyon Move To Within Brink Of Twelfth Women's Champions League Final
Lyon's French striker #11 Kadidiatou Diani jumps into the arms of Lyon's Dutch midfielder #13 ... More Damaris Egurrola as she celebrates scoring the opening goal of the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Lyon, at the Arsenal Stadium in north London on April 19, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Olympique Lyonnais won the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League final away to Arsenal to make themselves odds on to reach a record twelfth final. Lyon, the eight-time winners of the women's Champions League, were playing in their 14th semi-final and had not lost at this stage since 2009, the year before the competition was rebranded from the UEFA Women's Cup. Before the game, Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps had questioned whether Arsenal, or any club, could contain their formidable front three of Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay and Tabitha Chawinga. With captain Wendie Renard not fully fit after a foot injury, she was named as a substitute on a formidable Lyon bench. Also not included in the starting line-up was the competition's record goalscorer, Ada Hegerberg, the club's leading goalscorer, Éugenie Le Sommer, two of the leading assist-makers in the Champions League, Amel Majri and Dzsenifer Marozsán and another German Olympic Gold Medalist, Sara Däbritz, illustrating the depth of their squad. Lyon fired an early warning shot when Daniëlle van de Donk should have scored following up after Zinsberger parried a fierce drive from Selma Bacha. However, of Lyon's famed front three, it was Diani who shone in the first half, repeatedly attacking Arsenal down the flank. In the 17th minute, Diani raced down the right wing before arrowing in a cross-shot past Manuela Zinsberger. The assistant referee initially waved her flag to signal for offside but after a length VAR check, Romanian referee Alina Pesu awarded a goal after EmiIy Fox was adjudged to have played Diani onside. It was Diani's 27th goal in the UEFA Women's Champions League and her 15th in the competition in just two seasons at Lyon. The big screen displays the news of a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) check for the first goal during ... More the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Lyon, at the Arsenal Stadium in north London on April 19, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Arsenal had their fair share of possession but struggled to create clear chances. Midway through the first half, Beth Mead headed a left wing cross back across goal and Frida Maanum should have done better than glance the ball wide. In contrast, Lyon were a constant threat on the counter attack. Damaris was close to scoring with a header from a corner and Dumornay struck the crossbar with a marvelously-weighted shot from 40 yards out with Zinsberger caught off her line. The English side came close to equalising either side of half-time when first Leah Williamson headed a corner against the crossbar before the break, and then after, it, Caitlin Foord had a shot smothered by Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler. Thereafter, Arsenal created some momentum, creating further chances from cross balls. From one, Endler was adjudged to have fouled Williamson by VAR and referee Pesu awarded Arsenal a penalty which Mariona Caldentey converted. The home side's joy was short-lived as Dumornay, described by Heaps earlier this week as one of the best players in the world, restored Lyon's lead. Lyon's Haitian midfielder #06 Melchie Dumornay celebrates after scoring their second goal during the ... More UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Lyon, at the Arsenal Stadium in north London on April 19, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Arsenal are playing in their eighth semi-final of the Champions League, but of the previous seven, they have only progressed to the final once. That was in 2007, the year they became the only English side to win the women's Champions League. It was also the year after their men's team reached the Champions League final, losing 2-1 to FC Barcelona in Paris. This season, both the Arsenal men's and women's teams have reached the last four of their respective Champions League competitions, both eliminating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals with 3-0 victories at the Emirates Stadium. Previously, Chelsea has been, in 2021, the only club to have reached the final of the men's and women's Champions League final in the same season. With Arsenal and FC Barcelona in the semi-finals of both competitions either, or both, could match that feat this year. For Arsenal to reach the final in Lisbon at the end of May, they will now have to replicate their performance on their last visit to Groupama Stadium in September 2022 when they won 5-1 away to Lyon in the group stage of the Champions League. The second leg will be played next Sunday.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lyon outclasses Bayern with 4-1 win to reach Women's Champions League semifinals
LYON, France (AP) — Kadidiatou Diani scored one goal and set up two more as Lyon outclassed Bayern Munich 4-1 in the second leg of their Women's Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday. The French powerhouse needed a wake-up call before reaching the semifinals for the 13th time. Klara Bühl opened the scoring in the 33rd minute off the far post to claw a goal back for Bayern after losing the first leg 2-0 in Munich. Lyon, the eight-time champion, emerged reinvigorated after the break and went on to wrap up a 6-1 victory on aggregate with Diani scoring and setting up goals for Melchie Dumornay and Tabitha Chawinga, who both scored in Munich last week. Advertisement Dumornay played in Ada Hegerberg to seal the rout with a flourish by shooting the ball between Bayern goalkeeper Maria-Luisa 'Mala' Grohs' legs in stoppage time. Bayern will be left to rue defensive blunders for undermining its comeback hopes. Diani was given two opportunities to cross the ball for Dumornay to equalize on the night, then Bayern star Giulia Gwinn inadvertently set up Diani to score in the 54th. It was the third blow for Bayern in quick succession with forward Jovana Damnjanovic going off with an apparent rib injury. The fourth blow came shortly afterward with Diana crossing for Chawinga to score Lyon's third goal on the hour-mark. The French league champion missed further chances to score before Hegerberg made the last one count. Advertisement Lyon will face either Real Madrid or Arsenal in the semifinals. They were contesting the second leg of their quarterfinal in London later, with the Spanish team 2-0 up from the first leg in Madrid last week. The other quarterfinal second legs are scheduled for Thursday, with defending champion Barcelona in a comfortable position after a 4-1 win over Wolfsburg in Germany, and Chelsea needing goals as it hosts Manchester City after losing the first leg 2-0. Barcelona defeated Lyon in last year's final. ___ AP soccer:
