#womens-champions-league

#womens-champions-league

Image source, Getty Images Holders Arsenal will host record eight-time winners Lyon in the league phase of the revamped Women's Champions League. Arsenal beat Barcelona in last season's final to win the Champions League for a second time, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007. The Gunners will also welcome Real Madrid and Twente, with trips to Bayern Munich, Benfica and Belgian club Leuven to come.

Lily Yohannes wastes no time. The 18-year-old scored on her international debut for the US at age 16 last year, having become a starter for Ajax before that. Now, with a move to European power OL Lyonnes over the summer, Yohannes scored a goal and was named player of the match in her debut for the club, a 3-1 win over Olympique Marseille.

Manchester United have to navigate an unusual qualification process to reach the main draw of the Women's Champions League. The tournament has a new format after Uefa expanded the group stage of the competition from 16 to 18 teams for 2025-26. Chelsea qualified directly by winning the Women's Super League, while Arsenal qualified by triumphing in the Women's Champions League. Manchester United however have to qualify for the competition after finishing behind Chelsea and Arsenal in the league last season.

"I'm in shock. We gave everything. I must apologise for missing my penalty and congratulate England. But we played well. We were the better side."

The Women's Champions League final showcases Arsenal and Barcelona, two giants of women's football, in what promises to be a thrilling clash for supremacy in Europe.

"The Uefa Women's Champions League is the very best in football performance, dedication and passion," said Disney+ EMEA general manager Karl Holmes.

Ada Hegerberg is a women's football legend, scoring a total of 66 goals in the UEFA Women's Champions League, making her the highest scorer in the competition's history.