Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

What a week it’s been for the women’s game! From historic European nights to major national team news and landmark business deals, the momentum heading into the spring season is undeniable. The UWCL knockout play-offs have officially concluded, leaving us with a mouthwatering quarter-final bracket that includes an all-London derby and a European Clásico. Back home, the USWNT is beginning to take shape under Emma Hayes with a veteran-heavy SheBelieves Cup roster, while the NWSL continues to prove its commercial power by securing a massive new health and wellness partner.

Here is the breakdown of everything you need to know from the last seven days:

• Notable Matches (UCL)

  • Real Madrid vs Paris FC 🟥 (2-0)

  • Arsenal vs Oud-Heverlee Leuven (3-1)

  • Juventus vs Wolfsburg (0-2)

  • Manchester United vs Athletico Madrid 🟥 (2-0)

• News

  • The Champions League Quarter Finals are Set

  • Emma Hayes Unveils SheBelieves Cup Roster

  • NWSL Lands Landmark "Health and Wellness" Sponsorship

Real Madrid vs
Paris FC 🟥(2-0)

Real Madrid secured their place in the quarter-finals with a controlled 2–0 victory at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, advancing 5–2 on aggregate. The match swung in Madrid’s favor early when Paris FC’s Théa Gréboval was sent off in the 5th minute for a professional foul. Despite the player advantage, Madrid struggled to beat an inspired Mylène Chavas in the first half, who even saved a Caroline Weir penalty. However, the pressure eventually told in the second half, with Naomie Feller opening the scoring on a volley and a second goal resulting from a Paris FC own goal following a cross from Eva Navarro. Real Madrid now advances to face Barcelona in the next round.

Arsenal vs
Oud-Heverlee Leuven (3-1)

Arsenal booked an all-English quarter-final clash against Chelsea after defeating OH Leuven 3–1 at Meadow Park, completing a dominant 7–1 aggregate win. Alessia Russo opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, though Leuven briefly tightened the match when Sara Pusztai equalized shortly after. The Gunners regained control in the second half when Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty, and Russo capped off the night in the 89th minute with her second goal and her 50th for the club. Despite the windy and wet conditions, the defending champions remained professional to see out the result.

Juventus vs
Wolfsburg (0-2)

Two-time champions Wolfsburg advanced to their 13th quarter-final in 14 seasons after a clinical 2–0 away win in Turin, progressing 4–2 on aggregate. Following a 2–2 draw in the first leg, Wolfsburg took the lead in the 18th minute through Vivien Endemann on a swift counterattack. Juventus pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, with Ana Capeta notably hitting the crossbar, but they were unable to convert their chances. Substitute Cora Zicai eventually sealed the victory for the German side with a goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time, setting up a quarter-final tie against Lyon.

Man U vs
Athletico Madrid 🟥(2-0)

Manchester United made history by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time with a 2–0 win at Leigh Sports Village, winning the tie 5–0 on aggregate. Julia Zigiotti Olme broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with a precise left-footed finish, and Jess Park doubled the lead before halftime with a spectacular long-range strike. Atlético’s frustrations culminated in a late red card for Xènia Pérez, who received a second yellow in the 85th minute. Marc Skinner’s side now prepares for a high-profile quarter-final matchup against Bayern Munich.

Champions League
Quarter Finals Are Set - 3/24

• Arsenal vs. Chelsea (A massive London derby)

• Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (El Clásico)

• Wolfsburg vs. Lyon (A battle of European royalty)

• Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich (Battle of the heavy hitters)

The UWCL quarter-final stage is officially set, and the bracket has delivered a slate of high-stakes matchups that promise to be some of the most competitive in the tournament’s history. Headlining the round is a massive All-English clash between Arsenal and Chelsea, alongside a high-intensity UWCL Clásico as Real Madrid looks to challenge Barcelona’s European dominance. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses Wolfsburg and Lyon will face off in a battle of tournament royalty, and Manchester United—fresh off their historic first-ever qualification for the final eight—will test their mettle against a clinical Bayern Munich side. With three of the four matchups featuring domestic rivals or perennial finalists, the road to the semi-finals has never looked more daunting or more exciting for fans of the women's game.

You can add the UWCL schedule to your personal calendar here.

Emma Hayes Unveils
SheBelieves Cup Roster

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes officially unveiled her 26-player roster this week for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, which begins on March 1. The squad represents a significant strategic shift toward veteran leadership as the team begins its formal preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers this fall. Notably, for the first time in over a year and the first time in Hayes's tenure, the roster features zero uncapped players. Experience is the clear theme, anchored by centurions Lindsey Heaps (170 caps), Rose Lavelle (116 caps), and Emily Sonnett (113 caps), who is the only player to appear in all 11 editions of the tournament.

The roster also reflects the increasingly global nature of the U.S. player pool, featuring 19 NWSL stars alongside seven European-based players, including Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson and Manchester City’s Sam Coffey. While the squad is heavy on experience, it does miss some key firepower; Sophia Wilson remains in a post-pregnancy return-to-play protocol, and Catarina Macario is sidelined with a heel injury. The USWNT will face Argentina, Canada, and Colombia over three matchdays in Nashville, Columbus, and Harrison, NJ, as Hayes looks to replicate a FIFA-style group stage environment.

NWSL Lands Landmark
“Health & Wellness” Sponsorship

The NWSL and U.S. Soccer both announced major multi-year partnerships with CVS Pharmacy this week, designating the retail giant as an "Official Health and Wellness Partner." The deal is a significant expansion of CVS’s footprint in the sport; while they have sponsored the Washington Spirit since 2020, they are now adding team-level sponsorships for Seattle Reign FC and the Kansas City Current. In Kansas City, the partnership is particularly visible, as the CVS Health logo will now appear on the lower back of the Current's kits and on their official travel apparel.

Beyond branding, the sponsorship focuses heavily on community impact and the youth pipeline. CVS will serve as the entitlement partner for NWSL Youth Clinics and the NWSL Youth Combine, aiming to provide health resources and mentorship to athletes in the U13–U17 age groups. Additionally, CVS will become the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year Award and the SheChampions Mentorship Program.