English sides face questions after Women's Champions League returns on September 24, 2026
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City began their Women's Champions League campaigns on 24 September 2026 as the competition returned, with matches including Manchester City's trip to Bayern Munich and Lyon's victory at Servette in Switzerland. Arsenal and Chelsea recorded narrow home wins while City recovered from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 at Bayern Munich.
The three English clubs entered the week with clear ambitions in the tournament but produced mixed impressions; on the surface all three picked up results, yet Barcelona and Lyon opened with comprehensive victories that set a contrasting tone. Last season's top scorer Ewa Pajor scored twice on the opening night for Barcelona, and Mariona Caldentey converted a 95th-minute penalty to hand Arsenal victory.
Manchester City returned to European action after missing last season's competition and the team that won the Women's Super League last term faced immediate tests. Andree Jeglertz's side fell 2-0 behind to Bayern before fighting back to a 2-2 draw; summer signings Beth Mead and Carlotta Wamser each scored their first goals for the club, while Khadija Shaw missed a penalty.
Arsenal's performance raised questions despite the win: they have only two goals and five points from three matches in all competitions, an expected goals total of 1.93 against HB Køge, and managed just two shots on target. Manager Renske Slegers made numerous changes, including resting Alessia Russo, and the side needed Caldentey's late penalty to secure the result; the match was also affected by glitches to the Disney+ broadcast.
Chelsea opened with a victory secured by a Wieke Kaptein strike in a game that offered attacking promise but exposed midfield issues. Melvine Malard featured for 45 minutes as planned, Alyssa Thompson produced a notable display with Ellie Carpenter operating behind her, and the team were without injured captain Erin Cuthbert while Keira Walsh was substituted early. Austria Vienna hit the post and recorded more shots than Chelsea, and the Blues have conceded one goal in four matches this season.
Elsewhere in the opening fixtures, Lyon issued a strong statement with an 8-0 win at Servette in Switzerland as Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored a hat-trick; Lyon amassed 31 shots and struck the woodwork. Holders Barcelona came from behind to score four before half-time and beat Paris FC 5-2, with Pajor contributing two goals across the opening night fixtures.
Lyon will host Chelsea next week in a fixture that pairs one of the competition's most dominant opening performances with an English side showing both attacking potential and midfield vulnerabilities.
