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The Lionesses won't remember Tuesday night fondly. After an amazing 5-0 win over Belgium, they lost 3-2 in the return match. They were already down in the third minute when Tessa Wulaert (Inter Milan) scored. Towards the end of the first half they were already 3-0 down, eventually Beth Mead (Arsenal) reduced the deficit from a penalty.

The Lionesses eventually lost for the first time in the Nations League, but for the young Lionesses the evening will remain fabulous for a long time. Michelle Agyemang was sent on in the 81st minute as a substitute for Jessica Park. It was the debut for the newly 19-year-old, who is currently on loan at Brighton, in her national team debut. After just 40 seconds on the pitch, she reduced the score to 3:2, giving England hope of an equaliser and becoming the english heroine of the evening. 

Amanda Ilestedt returned to football after her maternity leave on January 29, 2025. She played for Arsenal in the FA Cup match against Bristol City, coming on in the 79th minute. After that, she was invited to join the Swedish national team for the April training camp. Her baby daughter Mila and her partner Rainer Müller came with her.

This was possible thanks to a new agreement that supports players with children. Nevertheless, she did not take part in Friday's match against Italy. Her international comeback came on Tuesday 8 April, when she came on in the 89th minute against Wales, played on home stadion in Gothenburg. However, she was unable to turn the game around as Sweden drew 1-1 with Wales.

The April national team break caused many injuries. Especially Arsenal, who are waiting for the semi-final clash with Lyon, are currently missing three players. Chloe Kelly left the England before the first match against Belgium due to a foot injury. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar still started Friday's game against Austria, but suffered a knee injury during the game and returned to England early from the international camp.

The star of the match against Real Madrid, Alessia Russo, will also be missing for England in the next match. She has left the England squad and returned to Arsenal for further assessment after picking up an ankle injury.

But there are also unpleasantries for Chelsea, who will face the defending champions Barcelona after the international break. Their striker Lauren James suffered a hamstring injury during the international break and she too will miss England's next game.

The UEFA Women's Nations League continues today, April 4, 2025, with several pivotal Matchday 3 fixtures. These matches are crucial for teams aiming to secure top positions in their respective groups and advance in the competition.

Key Matchups:

Portugal vs. Spain: Spain's national team, La Roja, faces a critical encounter against Portugal. After a disappointing loss to England, Spain finds itself in third place in Group A3. The team, led by coach Montse Tomé, is under pressure to secure a victory to remain in contention for the Final Four. Portugal, an emerging force in women's football, currently holds a better position in the group, having defeated Belgium and drawn with England. Despite missing key players like Kika Nazareth and Jessica Silva, Portugal boasts talent such as Tatiana Pinto (Atlético Madrid) and Diana Gomes (Sevilla). Spain welcomes back influential figures like Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, from Barcelona but will miss Ona Batlle due to injury.

England vs. Belgium: The Lionesses are set to host Belgium. England's captain, Leah Williamson, has highlighted the impressive form of striker Alessia Russo, who has netted 14 goals in her last 21 appearances for Arsenal and England. However, the team will be without Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly for this fixture due to minor injuries, though they may return for the subsequent match. Head coach Sarina Wiegman remains focused on securing victories while also preparing the squad for the upcoming European Championship in July, where the Lionesses will defend their victory from 2022.

Other Notable Fixtures:

• Netherlands vs. Austria: The Dutch team aims to capitalize on their home advantage to strengthen their position in the group standings.
• Scotland vs. Germany: Scotland faces a formidable German side, with both teams eager to claim vital points.
• Iceland vs. Norway: A Nordic clash where both teams seek to assert dominance and improve their group rankings.
• Switzerland vs. France: France, known for its attacking prowess, will challenge Switzerland in a bid to top their group.
• Sweden vs. Italy: Two strong European sides face off, each aiming for a crucial win to boost their campaign.
• Wales vs. Denmark: Both teams are set to battle for supremacy and essential points in their group.

The United Kingdom is set to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup after being the only nation to submit a valid bid by the official deadline. This joint bid involves England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed this development during the UEFA Congress, noting that no other countries, including previously interested Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, proceeded with their submissions. The UK must now submit a compliant bid by the end of the year to secure the hosting rights. This will be the first World Cup hosted in the UK since 1966 and is expected to significantly boost women's football. 

FIFA also plans to expand the Women's World Cup from 32 to 48 teams by 2031, reflecting the growing global interest in women's football. England's recent success, reaching the 2023 final, adds to the momentum. English FA CEO Mark Bullingham expressed honor and excitement at the opportunity, emphasizing the importance of developing a strong bid. Wembley Stadium in London is anticipated to host the final, with other major venues like Glasgow's Hampden Park and a proposed 100,000-seat stadium in Manchester also under consideration.

Katie McCabe, the captain of the Ireland women's national football team, recently returned to her childhood football club, Kilnamanagh, to spend time with young players. She visited the Under-9s team and led them through a shooting drill, sharing her skills and experience. The visit was very special because Kilnamanagh is where McCabe first started playing football. The young players were excited to meet her, and she encouraged them to work hard and enjoy the game. After the session, she took photos with the kids and signed autographs, making the day unforgettable for them.

McCabe’s visit happened just before she joined the Ireland national squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against Greece. She is an important player for Ireland and always looks for ways to inspire the next generation of footballers. Her journey from Kilnamanagh to the highest level of women’s football shows that with hard work and dedication, young players can achieve their dreams. By returning to her roots, she reminded everyone of the importance of community and giving back to those who supported her early in her caree

Marc Skinner has extended his role as head coach of Manchester United Women until June 2027, with an option for an additional year. Since joining in 2021, Skinner led the team to their first major trophy, the Women's FA Cup, and achieved their highest league finish, second place in the Women's Super League, in 2023. Currently, the team is third in the WSL behind Arsenal and Chelsea  and preparing for an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

Skinner expressed his excitement about continuing with the club, aiming to build a young, competitive team. Manchester United's technical director, Jason Wilcox, praised Skinner's performance and the squad's potential for future success.

Stroot, who led the team to significant successes, including national championships and cup victories, decided to step down after a challenging season. His departure leaves Wolfsburg searching for a new coach to guide the team forward. Stroot expressed gratitude for his time at the club and highlighted the strong bond he shared with the players and staff during his tenure1.

Under Stroot’s leadership, Wolfsburg maintained its position as one of Europe’s top women’s football teams. However, recent results and increased competition have added pressure to the club. The search for a new coach will be crucial in maintaining Wolfsburg's high standards and continuing their success in domestic and international competitions1