The seventeenth week of 2025 brought a lot of things you definitely shouldn't miss. The Bundesliga title is decided, the Champions League knows its finalists and the transfer window is slowly approaching. Here are the 5 most important things you shouldn't miss.Â
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On Sunday 27 April, the two final rounds of the Champions League semi-finals were played to decide the finalists.
The first match of the day was played at Chelsea's home ground who were looking to avenge their 4-1 defeat to Barcelona last week. The Blues unfortunately had a bad start to the game, as Aitana Bonmati opened the scoring in the 25th minute, with Ewa Pajor and Claudia Pina adding to the tally before the end of the half.
Chelsea were not helped by the home ground or the change of sides. Salma Paralluelo added to the score at the end of regulation time. In injury time Wieke Kaptei reduced the deficit, but it didn't help Chelsea. Even the purchase of spring signings did not guarantee them the dream Champions League final and they will say goodbye in the semi-finals. Barcelona will play the Champions League for the fifth time with an overall record of 8:2.
Arsenal did not enter the game in Lyon as favourites. They came away from the Emirates with a 2-1 defeat. But their hopes came alive in the opening minutes of the match when the Canaries got their blood pumping from a corner kick. After goals from Caldentey, Russo and Foord, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Arsenal were heading to Lisbon. In the 81st minute, Dumornay reduced the deficit for the home team, but this did not threaten the London club's victory.
Arsenal managed to turn the game around in the second leg for the second time in a row and after 18 years they will play the Champions League final as the only English club so far.
The final between Barcelona and Arsenal will be played on 24 May in Lisbon.Â
The FC Bayern Munich women's team won their seventh German Bundesliga title in the 2024/25 season. They began the season strongly, defeating Turbine Potsdam 2–0 on 30th August, with Swedish international Linda Sembrant scoring both goals. Shortly after, they secured the Supercup title with a 1–0 win over VfL Wolfsburg. Their impressive form continued with a 6–2 victory against RB Leipzig, marking their 41st consecutive unbeaten league match—a new club and league record. A notable comeback occurred against Bayer Leverkusen, where goals from Sarah Zadrazil, Georgia Stanway, and young rising star Alara Şehitler led to a 3–2 win, reclaiming the top spot in the league.
Despite a challenging period in November with two draws, the team regained momentum with a 1–0 win over Werder Bremen, thanks to a goal by Pernille Harder. A significant 4–0 away victory against Eintracht Frankfurt further solidified their lead. The championship was clinched with a 3–1 home win over SC Freiburg, featuring goals from Lea SchĂĽller, Pernille Harder, and GlĂłdĂs Perla ViggĂłsdĂłttir. This triumph marked their third consecutive league title and the seventh in the club's history. The season also marked the end of Alexander Straus's tenure as head coach, as he departs for Angel City FC in the USA. The team now aims for their first-ever double, facing Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal final on May 1st.
Although the Bayern players are certainly disappointed to be eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals, they have had an amazing season. It is worth mentioning the amazing return of goalkeeper Mala Grohs, who is already catching again. In November, she announced the interruption of her career due to a tumour.Â
Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp is making a strong comeback after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined her since November 2024. She underwent successful surgery and has been working closely with the club's medical team during her rehabilitation. Hemp's return is timely, as Manchester City faces a challenging period with several key players, including Mary Fowler and Vivianne Miedema, currently out due to injuries.
According to City’s interim boss, Nick Cushing, Hemp should be in the squad for match against Leicester City on 27th April. The 24 years old have been out since November so she missed out most of the Champions League matches.Â
Manchester United will play in a new women’s seven-a-side football tournament called World Sevens Football. The event will take place in Portugal from May 21 to 23. In addition to the Red Devils, the participation of other big teams like Bayern Munich, Ajax, and Benfica is also confirmed. It is not yet clear which clubs will complete the squad, but English clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City have expressed interest, as well as Angel City from the American NSWL. This fast-paced tournament has a $5 million prize pool, and games will be 30 minutes long with 14-player squads.
The format is designed to be fun and less physically demanding than full-season leagues.However the Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman have warned about the already busy match calendar
Ella Toone shares a heartfelt story about her close relationship with her father, who was her biggest supporter in life and football. From a young age, they bonded over car rides filled with Smooth Radio tunes and playful pranks. Her dad encouraged her passion for football, promising her ten pounds for every goal she scored in her first game—a challenge she met with ten goals. His unwavering support continued as she progressed through her football career, always offering advice and cheering her on from the sidelines.
Nick Toone died 3 days before his 60th birthday. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer the day after watching his daughter score a goal in the Euro 2022 final. England beat Germany 2-1 at Wembley.
A few months after his death, Toone spoke to The Player's Tribune about her story and how she is dealing with her loss.Â
Canada has launched its first professional women's soccer league, the Northern Super League (NSL), in April 2025. The league features six teams from major cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax. The NSL was created by former Canadian international Diana Matheson to provide local opportunities for female soccer players, so they no longer need to go abroad to play professionally. The league's first match took place on April 16, 2025, between Vancouver Rise and Calgary Wild at BC Place in Vancouver. The game attracted over 14,000 fans, and Vancouver's Quinn scored the league's first goal with a penalty kick.
The NSL aims to support players with fair salaries, maternity benefits, and housing assistance. Canadian women's soccer players have gold medals from the Tokyo Olympics, but most of them have gone abroad to pursue their careers.
Lotte Wubben-Moy, a 23-year-old defender, has signed a new contract with Arsenal Women. She joined the club's academy at age 13 and made her senior debut at 16. After playing college football in the U.S., she returned to Arsenal in 2020. Since then, she has become a key player for both Arsenal and the Lionesses. Wubben-Moy expressed pride in continuing her journey with the club she has supported since childhood in video she herself wrote and created. 'I feel a huge amount of pride,' she said.Â
Her new contract includes a program focused on engaging with young girls in areas like reading, art, and the environment. She will collaborate with Arsenal in the Community to run this initiative in Camden, Hackney, and Islington. Wubben-Moy believes in giving back to the community that shaped her and sees this program as a vital part of her role at the club.
