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Matildas Abroad: Arsenal and Melbourne City prepare for continental finals

Arsenal’s CommBank Matildas trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross will take on Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final this weekend.

Closer to home, Melbourne City will take on Wuhan Jiangda in the AFC Women’s Champions League Final on Saturday night.

Read our preview of a massive weekend of Matildas Abroad action below.

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UEFA Women’s Champions League

Arsenal will compete in their first UWCL final in 18 years when they take on defending champions Barcelona on Sunday morning (AEST).

The Gunners go into the game as underdogs, but will be quietly confident after repeatedly demonstrating their resilience and ability to overcome obstacles during their tournament run so far.

Caitlin Foord, Daphne Van Domselaar and team mates of Arsenal celebrate victory following the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal second leg match between Olympique Lyonnais and Arsenal WFC at OL Stadium on April 27, 2025 in Decines-Charpieu, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Caitlin Foord, Daphne Van Domselaar and team mates of Arsenal celebrate victory following the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal second leg match between Olympique Lyonnais and Arsenal WFC at OL Stadium on April 27, 2025 in Decines-Charpieu, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord will all be available for Arsenal.

You can read Steph Catley’s thoughts before the game here.

Arsenal v Barcelona

Date: Sunday, 25 May AEST (Saturday, 24 May local)

Kick-off: 2am AEST

Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal

Broadcast:Kayo,DAZN

AFC Women’s Champions League

Melbourne City are vying to become the first Australian women’s team to lift continental silverware when they take on Wuhan Jiangda this weekend.

City defeated the Korean Republic team Incheon Red Angels 1-0 in the semi-final midweek to reach this stage, with a stoppage time winner from CommBank Young Matilda Shelby McMahon proving the difference.

Team of Melbourne City embrace together prior to the AFC Women's Champions League semifinal match between Hyundai Steel Red Angels and Melbourne City at Wuhan Sports Center Stadium on May 21, 2025 in Wuhan, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Team of Melbourne City embrace together prior to the AFC Women's Champions League semifinal match between Hyundai Steel Red Angels and Melbourne City at Wuhan Sports Center Stadium on May 21, 2025 in Wuhan, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Wuhan will have the hometown advantage after providing the shock of the tournament in the quarter-finals, defeating widely tipped favourites Urawa Reds from Japan after a penalty shootout. They then defeated the Vietnamese side, Ho Chi Minh City, 2-0 in the semi-finals.

Holly McNamara, Laura Hughes, Leah Davidson, Bryleeh Henry and Karly Roestbakken will all be available for Melbourne City as they seek to achieve a historic first in Australian football.

Melbourne City v Wuhan Jiangda

Date: Saturday, 24 May

Kick-off: 10pm AEST

Venue: Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium

Broadcast:10Play

CONCACAF W Champions Cup

The Portland Thorns suffered heartbreak during the week, falling 2-0 to Mexican team Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup.

Early goals from Aaliyah Farmer and Thembi Kgatlana meant that Tigres had a buffer to defend for the rest of the game, and they were able to hold on to their lead.

Kaitlyn Torpey was a half-time substitute for the Thorns. Mackenzie Arnold was unavailable due to injury. They will now take on Club América in the match for third place.

Club América v Portland Thorns

Date: Sunday, 25 May

Kick-off: 9am AEST

Venue: Estadio Universitario

Broadcast:Concacaf YouTube Channel

United States

The NWSL continues this weekend as the season begins to heat up. The Portland Thorns will not play this weekend after their CONCACAF tie.

Angel City will play Racing Louisville on Sunday, 12pm AEST. Angel City are currently two points clear in the playoff spots while a win for Louisville will likely put them right in contention for the top eight themselves. Alanna Kennedy will be available for Angel City.

Meanwhile, the North Carolina Courage travel to take on San Diego Wave on Monday, 12pm AEST. The Courage are now undefeated in four and will hope to make that five against a Wave side currently sitting in second place. Cortnee Vine will be available for the Courage.

You can watch the NWSL live and on demand on Optus Sport.

Sweden

AIK Fotboll will be hoping to bounce back after a heavy midweek defeat to Djurgården when they take on Växjö DFF on Saturday, 11pm AEST. AIK was in good form prior to that defeat and hopes to secure three points that will keep them up to six points away from the relegation zone. Jada Whyman is expected to line up in goals for AIK.

Kristianstads DFF will face a difficult challenge when they take on top-of-the-table Hammarby on Saturday, 11pm AEST. A win could see them finish the round in fourth, and within touching distance of the European qualification spots. Amy Sayer and Remy Siemsen will be available or Kristianstads.

Denmark

FC Nordsjælland take on Odense Boldklub on Saturday, 11pm AEST. While the league title is now unavailable to them they will need to finish the season strong in order to finish second and qualify for European football next year. Winonah Heatley will be available for Nordsjælland.

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