There were shock results and late drama as cup games in England, France and Sweden – and CommBank Matildas were central to the action.
Read our review of Matildas Abroad action below.
England
Leicester City reached the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time in club history, defeating Liverpool 2-0. A brace to Jutta Rantala was the difference between the sides in an even game of few chances. Courtney Nevin started the match before being substituted at half-time. Remy Siemsen and Teagan Micah were unused substitutes for Leicester and Liverpool respectively.
Manchester United eased into the semi-finals with a 4-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Goals to Millie Turner, Nikita Parris and Lucia Garcia had United 3-0 up at half-time before Lisa Naalsund sealed it after the break. Charlie Rule was unavailable for Brighton through injury.
Chelsea defeated Everton 1-0 to squeeze into the semi-finals. A goal to American Catarina Macario – her second in two games after returning from a 21-month injury layoff – got the job done for the defending champions. Clare Wheeler started and played the full match in the centre of midfield for Everton.
Mary Fowler's deflected shot finds its way in for @ManCityWomen 🤩#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/gOeZqf1U8P
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) March 10, 2024
Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester City on penalties after Bethany England’s 96th-minute equaliser. Mary Fowler’s sixth-minute goal looked like it would be enough for City as the match meandered towards the full-time whistle. However, up popped England at the death, sending the match to extra time and eventually penalties.
Fowler made no mistake with her own penalty – the fifth for City - but earlier misses for Alex Greenwood and Chloe Kelly meant that Amy Turner was able to put Spurs through to a Women’s FA Cup semi-final for the first time in the club’s history.
Charli Grant and Alanna Kennedy were unused substitutes for Spurs and City respectively.
France
Remarkably, both Coupe de France Féminine semi-finals went all the way to penalties, serving up a stunning upset in the process.
Fleury defeated all-conquering Lyon 5-4 on penalties after the match was scoreless after 120 minutes. A topsy-turvy shootout went all the way to seven penalties apiece, and was eventually decided by a Delphine Cascarino miss. It was a massive upset – Lyon has won nine of the last 11 French Cups – and is the first time that Fleury has made the final in the club’s history. Ellie Carpenter played the full 120 minutes for Lyon and did not take a penalty.
The other semi-final was just as much a topsy-turvy, dramatic affair. It was PSG who triumphed against Paris FC, requiring penalties after regulation time ended 3-3. Grace Geyoro scored first for PSG before a brace to Tabitha Chawinga ensured that PSG kept pace with Paris FC. A second-half stoppage time red card to Paris FC’s Julie Dufour added extra tension before a missed Gaëtane Thiney penalty meant that PSG would advance to the final.
Clare Hunt was an unused substitute for the finalists. Meanwhile, Sarah Hunter was not in Paris FC’s matchday squad.
Sweden
Kristianstads DFF got their competitive season off to a flyer, defeating Lidköping 8-1. Amy Sayer was amongst the goals, scoring in the eighth minute. Clare Polkinghorne also started the match in the heart of defence.
BK Häcken also started their season with a win, defeating Växjö DFF 3-0. Aivi Luik played the full match as centre-back for her side.
Spain
A second-half Olga Carmona goal was enough for Real Madrid to defeat Sevilla 1-0 in the Primera División. Madrid had the better of the game overall, with 66% possession and 18 shots to 4, and the goal ensured a deserved three points. Hayley Raso was substituted on in the 62nd minute.