Lionesses Dominate Portugal | Earps Retires | New Pod for the Euros
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
Lionesses hit six in Nations League, while Wales and Scotland are relegated
England’s 6-0 win over Portugal at Wembley on Friday was the reset the Lionesses needed after a week dominated by Mary Earps’ retirement. Lauren Hemp looked sharp on her return from injury, while Aggie Beever-Jones seized her chance with a first-half hat-trick (he looks like a great alternative strike option to Russo). But with Portugal’s defence in disarray and Hannah Hampton barely called into action, it’s hard to know how much this result really tells us. The real test comes against Spain – then we’ll see if England are truly Euros-ready.
Wales were left furious after a 1-0 defeat to Denmark confirmed their relegation from League A. Jess Fishlock’s effort looked to have crossed the line, but with no goal-line technology or VAR, the goal wasn’t given. Players and staff were rightly fuming at the lack of basic tech in a match of this importance. Wales now face one last friendly before Switzerland, hoping for better luck and a fit squad.
Scotland’s campaign ended similarly, a 1-0 loss to Austria sealing their drop to League B.
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🚨ICYMI
Top Headlines
🧤 Mary Earps’ decision to retire from England duty just weeks before the Euros means the Lionesses must quickly adapt their plans. The timing has sparked fierce debate: some pundits and ex-players have criticised Earps for stepping away after losing her No.1 spot to Hannah Hampton, while others, including captain Leah Williamson, insist she’s right to prioritise her wellbeing after years of service and scrutiny. Either way, England head into a major tournament without their most experienced goalkeeper. With untested options behind Hampton, Sarina Wiegman’s squad faces extra pressure as they look to defend their European crown.
🏆 Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor has been crowned WSL Manager of the Season after steering the Blues to a treble and an unbeaten league campaign in her first year in English football. Read more
🎟️ Aston Villa fans will now earn season ticket points for attending women’s games at Villa Park, a move aimed at boosting crowds, but not everyone’s convinced. Some worry men’s fans might snap up tickets just for the points, turning up in body (or not at all) but not in spirit, and changing the vibe of Villa’s home games. Read more
💰 England’s EURO squad are set to share a record £1.7m bonus if they lift the trophy, with every player guaranteed a slice of the prize money. It’s a huge step for equality and recognition in the women’s game. Read more
❌ Trans women are now banned from all FA-affiliated women’s football in England, with the rule in effect from 1 June. The BBC spoke to trans player Billie Sky, who shared how this ban affects her and other trans players who can no longer play the sport they love. Read more here
🌊 Alex Morgan has joined San Diego Wave’s boardroom, becoming a minority owner at the club she helped build. The USWNT legend is promising to shape the next chapter of women’s football in California. Read more
🌍 Kansas City Current’s owners have snapped up Danish champions HB Køge as their latest move on the global stage. The ambition? A multi-club empire that can develop talent and compete everywhere. Read more
🇲🇽 Mexico will co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the United States, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams. The expanded format mirrors the men’s tournament and is set to be a major boost for women’s football across North America. Read more
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
→ Here’s a little top-up for Arsenal fans who might be on a come-down after last weekend’s big win… Every Arsenal Goal To Win The Women's Champions League Final
👀 FAVE FINDS
Stickerheads, brace your bank accounts: Euro 2025 stickers are here. Topps has just launched the first official UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 sticker collection. There are 308 stickers to collect, including all 16 nations, legends, host cities, and breakout stars. The collection is available now, so expect a summer of swaps and sticker-induced spending.
Start your collection
That Lionesses Podcast is your new summer listen. Hosted by the England squad and friends, this new podcast promises behind-the-scenes stories, team banter, and plenty of laughs. It’s ideal for your commute, a run, or just pretending you’re inside Lionesses camp.
Listen now
Mary Earps: Queen of Stops lands on BBC at the perfect (or perhaps, awkward) moment. The BBC spent the season following Earps for this new documentary, only for her to announce her England retirement days before it aired. The film offers a rare look at her mindset, the pressure she faced, and perhaps some clues about her decision to step away.
Watch it here
🔎 IN FOCUS
WSL Football’s move to budget for PFA membership could be a game-changer for players’ rights and welfare.
Need to know
WSL Football will now budget for Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) membership, meaning players in the top two tiers finally get full union support, from legal advice to medical and rehab cover.
Wait, This Wasn’t Already a Thing?
Amazingly, no. Until now, plenty of Championship players have had to self-fund injury recovery or rely on the NHS, often while earning below minimum wage and missing out on basic protections. Union membership has been a long-running battle, with players pushing for better standards and a real say on pay and working conditions.
Why it Matters
This is a huge step towards treating women’s football as professional. With the PFA in their corner, players finally have a voice and a safety net that’s long been standard for men. It doesn’t yet reach those lower down the pyramid, who still face massive gaps in support, but it sets the bar. If the women’s game is going to thrive, every player deserves these rights.
✍️ INSIDE TRACK
Transfer Round-up
CONFIRMED TRANSFERS
→ Tottenham have extended the contracts of Ashleigh Neville, Olga Ahtinen, Kit Graham, and Josefine Rybrink for another year. All four played key roles last season and will stay on for the 2025/26 campaign. Martha Thomas, Spurs’ top scorer, has also signed a new deal that keeps her in north London until 2028.
→ West Ham have announced a summer clear-out. Marika Bergman Lundin, Shannon Cooke, Emma Harries, Kirsty Smith, and Katelin Talbert are all set to leave when their contracts expire in June.
→ Joe Montemurro has finally been confirmed as the Matildas’ head coach. Washington Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez is likely to take on the OL Lyonnes head coach job Montemurro leaves vacant at the end of June, trading one Michelle Kang club for another.
RUMOUR HAS IT:
→ Ellie Roebuck could be heading back to the WSL with a year left on her Barcelona contract. It’s thought that Roebuck would prefer a loan move.
→ Korbin Albert could soon be moving from PSG to OL Lyonnais on a free transfer.
→ Melanie Leupolz may retire at the end of the season due to knee issues.
→ VfL Wolfsburg is supposedly interested in Norwegian international Guro Bergsvand, who recently left Brighton as a free agent.
👟 KIT DROP
Nike’s latest drop, Nike Cryoshot, blurs the lines between pitch and pavement, with a new sneaker range inspired by classic football boots. No official release date yet, but these could be the answer for anyone wanting to keep the ‘boots only’ summer trend going without actually wearing studs to the shops. Practical, sharp, and definitely one for the kit obsessives.
The new Future 8 Ultimate Women’s Fit 2.0 from Puma lands mid-June with a snugger collar, extra heel padding, and a women’s-specific insole. There’s a nice nod to the Euros with the white base and pops of colour, but the whole “paint your own colour on the pitch” spiel is a bit much. Still, if you want boots that have improved performance, stability and comfort, these are worth a look – cheese aside. Check them out here
🩼 ACL + INJURY UPDATES
England’s Euro 2025 preparations have suffered another setback with Ella Morris ruled out after suffering an ACL injury in training. The 22-year-old Tottenham defender had just received her first senior call-up, but now faces surgery and a lengthy rehab. Morris’s absence is another blow for the Lionesses, who are already without Mary Earps after her shock retirement and Millie Bright, who is taking time out for mental health reasons. Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown has been drafted in as cover.
🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA
Upcoming Events
Retro Football Fair 2025
With thousands of shirts under one roof, and a women’s football shirt section provided by Throwbacktops, if you love a vintage football shirt, then this is the event for you. (Look out for fairs in Manchester and Sheffield later this year.)
8 June 2025, 10:00 - 16:00, Big Penny Social, Walthamstow, E17 6AL
Tickets £5
Women’s Euros Pride Night Brought to you by Studs
Are you queer? Do you like women’s football? Get yourself on the Studs dance floor and celebrate the Women's Euros and Pride weekend at The Divine.
The Divine, 4 July, 22:00 - 03:00
Tickets available now
Slaying The Field - From Baller FC
A 12-hour spectacular festival to celebrate Pride and England and Wales launching their Euro 2025 campaigns. Catch some of Baller’s favourite promoters and football collectives, queer short footy films, awesome food, oh, and arm wrestling. After nightfall the brewhall will be taken over by DJs.
Sat 5 Jul 2025 13:00 - 01:00, Signature Brew, Blackhorse Rd, E17 5QJ
Tickets available now
Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up
📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST
What We’re Watching
Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)
UEFA Women's Nations League
Tuesday, 3 June 2025
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Northern Ireland (18:00, BBC iPlayer)
Spain vs England (18:00, ITV1, TVX)
Wales vs Italy (18:30, BBC iPlayer)
Netherlands vs Scotland (19:30, BBC iPlayer)
📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
More Women Working in Football
Head of Women's Team Operations | Crystal Palace FC | Apply by 8 June
Content Executive Women’s and Girls | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | Apply by 10 June
Women's Regional Talent ID Coach | The Football Association | Apply by 13 June
Travel Manager (Women's & Men's Team) | Chelsea FC | Apply now
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