QB weekly: 30. 3. - 5. 4. 2026

The international break is here — but not before a week full of action worth catching up on. European competitions now know their semi-finalists and finalists, transfer rumours are swirling (and being shut down), and a new generation of young talents continues to emerge.

Big days for Alexia Putellas

Barcelona Femení — and especially Alexia Putellas — enjoyed a truly special week. Their last three matches? Three Clásicos. And Barcelona swept aside rivals Real Madrid, knocking them out of the Champions League in emphatic fashion.

Putellas, La Reina herself, was at the heart of it all, scoring in every single game. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner once again proved why she remains one of the defining players of this era.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Champions League quarter-final Clásico at Camp Nou marked her 500th appearance in blaugrana. And she celebrated it in style — with a goal, a 6:0 win, and a packed stadium.

Barcelona Femení also set a new attendance record at Camp Nou, with all 60,067 fans filling the stands and chanting Putellas’ name — just as they once did for Lionel Messi.

And there’s more to come. Barcelona will soon return to Camp Nou, this time for their Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern Munich.

Arsenal’s rollercoaster week

Arsenal, meanwhile, endured a week of highs and lows. It started on a high note, as they secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a strong performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, April 1. Despite a 1:0 defeat on the night, their 3:1 advantage from the first leg saw them through — and ended their city rivals’ biggest dream. Chelsea, fresh off last season’s treble, had made no secret of their desire to win the one trophy that has so far eluded them in England.

But the joy quickly turned into disappointment. On Sunday, Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup in the quarter-finals after a 2:0 defeat to Brighton.

To make matters worse, injuries are beginning to pile up. Steph Catley was forced off against Chelsea due to injury, while Beth Mead was injured in the FA Cup clash. Leah Williamson also remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and the club is now in discussions over whether she will join up with the national team during the international break.

Speculation intensifies over Sam Kerr’s future

Speculation over Sam Kerr’s future has been circulating for some time, with reports suggesting the Australian star may not be wearing blue next season. Just a day after Chelsea’s Champions League withdrawn, claims emerged that Kerr had already agreed a move to NWSL expansion side Denver Summit, with a summer transfer reportedly in place.

However, Kerr was quick to shut down the rumours, responding on Snapchat that the “media know everything before I do.” For now, her next move — and whether she will remain at Chelsea — remains uncertain.

Fanny Peterson, remember that name

The inaugural Europa Cup final will be an all-Swedish affair. Häcken, despite a 1:0 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg, progress comfortably thanks to their 3:0 first-leg advantage.

They will be joined by Damallsvenskan rivals Hammarby, who confirmed their place in the final after following up a 3:2 away win over Sparta Prague with a 2:0 victory at home.

Once again, 16-year-old Fanny Peterson was on the scoresheet at the 3Arena — just as she had been in Prague — firing an unstoppable strike past Nikola Harantová. It was yet another reminder of the form she has been showing both in the Europa Cup and in the Damallsvenskan.

And she’s still only 16. Remember the name.

The Europa Cup final will kick off on April 25 in Stockholm, with the return leg set for May 1 in Göteborg.