The opening round of fixtures in the 2025 UEFA Nations League is officially underway, with several of our Gunners in action for their respective nations.
Alessia Russo was on target for the Lionesses as they drew 1-1 with Portugal. Our forward struck in the 15th minute with a close-range finish, before Barcelona's Kika Nazareth levelled for the hosts in the 75th minute. Leah Williamson captained Sarina Wiegman's side with Chloe Kelly introduced as a late second-half substitute.
Mariona Caldentey bagged an assist as Spain left it late against Belgium on Friday night. Belgium led for most of the match through Mariam Toloba and Tessa Wullaert, until our number 8 found Claudia Pina in the middle of the park to get one back for the hosts. Two injury-time goals from Lucia Garcia and Cristina Martin-Prieto earned Spain a dramatic three points.
Stina Blackstenius assisted in Sweden's 2-1 win over Denmark. With the score level in the 54th minute, Blackstenius held the ball up outside the area and laid it off to Fridolina Rolfo, who struck beautifully into the top corner.
Katie McCabe captained Ireland to a 1-0 win against Turkey, as Kyra Carusa got the game's only goal. Meanwhile, Manuela Zinsberger pulled off some great saves in Austria's 1-0 win over Scotland.
Daphne van Domselaar was between the posts for the Netherlands during their 2-2 draw with Germany in Breda, while Lia Walti captained Switzerland as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Iceland in Zurich.
Frida Maanum played the full 90 minutes for Norway as they suffered a slender 1-0 defeat to France.
Away from Nations League action, Michelle Agyemang bagged a brace for England's U23 side in a narrow loss to Germany. Our young striker opened the scoring with a glorious hit just outside the area, before tapping in another at the far post. Teyah Goldie featured for 90 minutes and Katie Reid came off the bench in the second half.
Elsewhere, the tenth edition of the SheBelieves Cup kicked off in the United States this week. Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger both started as right and left-back respectively in the US Women's National Team's 2-0 win over Colombia.
Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross all started for the Matildas in their opening 4-0 loss to Japan.
In the Albir Garden Tournament, England U19s lost 2-0 to U19s Euros champions, Spain. Laila Harbert, Vivienne Lia and Maddy Earl all started for the Young Lionesses, with Sophie Harwood also making an appearance off the bench. Cecily Wellesley-Smith and Jessie Gale were unused substitutes.
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