QB weekly: 21. 9. - 27. 9. 2026
The U20 Women’s World Cup has crowned its new champion, the Women's Champions League is under way and the WSL has a new sponsor. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s struggles continue. It's QB Weekly time.
Mahmutovič stays in Bayern
Ena Mahmutović gave Bayern fans something to celebrate at the start of the week by extending her contract with the club until 2029. The young goalkeeper unexpectedly took over as Bayern’s number one when Mala Grohs was hospitalised with a tumour two years ago, but has since convinced the coaching staff that the position belongs to her. She celebrated her new deal in style against Manchester City, producing a series of impressive saves, including denying Bunny Shaw from the penalty spot.
Tesco announced as new WSL and WSL 2 sponsor
Tesco and England go hand in hand. Even more so now that the popular supermarket chain has become an official sponsor of the Women’s Super League and WSL 2, the top two tiers of women’s football in England. And the partnership goes beyond football, with an initiative to provide fruit and vegetables to children in schools. We’re giving this one a thumbs up.
Women Champion's League kicks off
The UEFA Women's Champions League also kicked off on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Bayern Munich hosting Manchester City in the standout fixture of the opening round. Bayern took the lead, but City fought back to draw 2:2 and became one of the few teams to leave Munich with a point.
Arsenal and Chelsea both behind expectations, managing only narrow 1:0 wins over outsiders Austria Vienna and HB Køge. Felicia Schröder continued her scoring form for Real Madrid, but PSG equalised from the penalty spot to earn a draw.
Schröder’s former club Häcken had a tougher start, losing 1:0 to Women's Champions League debutants Inter Milan. Jennifer Falk was sent off, handing 16-year-old Hanna Karlsson an unexpected Women's Champions League debut.
Arsenal's struggle continues...
Arsenal, meanwhile, continue to struggle in front of goal. Mariona Caldentey rescued a late 1:0 win against semi-professional HB Køge in the Women's Champions League, but the performance was far from convincing.
The same problem has followed Arsenal throughout the season: they create chances but cannot convert them. They have scored just two goals in five WSL games and have now lost the London derby to Chelsea despite producing more shots on target. The Gunners already sit seven points behind leaders Manchester City and struggle on 7th place.
Spain are the new U20 Champions!
We have new Women's U20 world champions! Spain are back on top after four years, but the final went all the way. North Korea had not conceded a single goal throughout the tournament, so there was some irony in the fact that their title defence ultimately ended in a penalty shootout after a 0:0 draw.
Spain goalkeeper Laia López emerged as the hero, saving every penalty she faced. Marissa García, Celia Segura, Carla Julia and Daniela Agote all converted from the spot to seal the world title.