While a new FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champion was being crowned in Papua New Guinea on Saturday, top teams from women’s leagues around the globe were once again collecting points. Leading duos in Spain, Italy and Australia navigated their latest matches flawlessly, while in Germany defending champions Wolfsburg and title holders Bayern Munich reached the quarter-finals of the DFB Women’s Cup.
Germany: Wolfsburg and Munich reach last eight of cup Wolfsburg remain on course to defend their DFB Women’s Cup title despite initial resistance from Arminia Bielefeld in the round of 16. Ralf Kellermann’s side ultimately defeated their second-division opponents 2-0 thanks to goals from Anja Mittag and Ewa Pajor in the 64th and 88th minutes respectively. "Huge compliments to Markus Wuckel and DSC,” the She-Wolves’ coach said after the match. “They made life incredibly difficult for us with their tight back five and back four before that. We didn’t have as many opportunities to score as we'd expected."
Meanwhile, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich swept into the quarter-finals with a resounding 8-0 victory over fourth-tier side Arminia Ibbenburen. Vivianne Miedema scored a hat-trick and Sara Dabritz netted a brace, while Katharina Baunach, Simone Laudehr and Carina Wenninger all added goals to complete the rout. Elsewhere, Freiburg won 2-0 in a top-flight clash with Borussia Monchengladbach, while Bayer Leverkusen dispatched USV Jena 5-0. Women’s Bundesliga side Duisburg’s cup campaign is over after their 1-0 defeat by second-tier Cloppenburg. The game between FFC Frankfurt and Essen was postponed due to poor weather, while the encounter between Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim will be played on 21 December.
Australia: League leaders continue to dominate Melbourne City and Sydney FC continue their rich vein of form in Australia’s W-League by winning away from home in the fifth round of matches. Melbourne City beat Brisbane Roar 2-1, with Katrina Gorry putting the hosts in front after just two minutes before Jessica Fishlock and Erika Tymrak turned the game in the visitors’ favour in the 6th and 25th minutes. Sydney overcame Newcastle Jets by the same scoreline as Kyah Simon and Nicola Bolger scored for Sydney while Jennifer Hoy found the target for Newcastle. With twelve points each, the top two have opened up a substantial lead over their rivals, while Melbourne still have a game in hand. Elsewhere, Canberra United slipped in their title challenge after a 2-2 draw with Adelaide United, while Perth Glory climbed to fourth after beating Melbourne Victory 2-0.
Top three: Melbourne City, Sydney FC (both 12), Canberra United (7)
Spain/Italy: Still all to play for The race for the title remains as exciting as ever in Spain’s Primera Division. While Barcelona defended their league lead with a 1-0 win over Oiartzun, Atletico Madrid remain hot on their heels after thrashing third-place Levante 5-0. Anticipation continues to build ahead of the meeting between the top two in the 14th round of matches.
Top three: Barcelona (34), Atletico Madrid (32), Levante (29)
The leading pair remain just as unassailable in Italy’s Serie A. Fiorentina celebrated a comfortable 5-1 triumph over San Zaccaria despite their first breakthrough coming 60 minutes into the game. Alice Parisi (60’), Ilaria Mauro (63’), Tatiana Bonetti (70’), Elena Linari (78’) and Deborah Salvatori Rinaldi (87’) wrapped up the three points for Fiorentina after Fabiana Colasuonno put the hosts in front after just two minutes. Brescia also began their match on the back foot after Giulia Merigo scored to give Como 2000 the lead, before Cristiana Girelli and Annamaria Serturini struck back to hand Brescia a 2-1 victory.
Top three: Fiorentina (24), Brescia (21), ASD Verona (18)
Netherlands: Ajax remain the team to beat Ajax continue to dominate the championship summit in the UEFA Women’s EURO host nation, collecting three points for the tenth time the season to remain unbeaten after 11 matches. The leaders kept control of proceedings at Heerenveen to secure a close 1-0 win, while defending champions Twente beat bottom-of-the-table Zwolle 4-1.
Top three: AFC Ajax (31), FC Twente (26), ADO Den Haag (22)