Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

Another loaded week across the global women’s game delivered statement wins, high-stakes stalemates, and off-field headlines that could shape the months ahead. The USWNT closed out the year with a confident 2–0 win over Italy, Spain and Germany battled to a tense 0–0 draw in the first leg of the Nations League Final, and England put on a jaw-dropping eight-goal show against China at Wembley (yes, eight).

Off the pitch, the storylines kept rolling. Spain now faces the second leg without Aitana Bonmatí, TOGETHXR and StudBudz took over NWSL Championship week with massive digital momentum, and Tobin Heath added fuel to the Trinity Rodman transfer debate with a strong case for staying in the NWSL. Let’s break it all down.

• Notable Matches

  • Int’l: USWNT vs Italy (2-0)

  • WNL Final Leg 1: Spain vs Germany (0-0)

  • Int’l: England vs China (8-0) (yes, you read that correctly)

• News

  • News: Spain to Play Without Bonmatí in Second Leg

  • News: TOGETHXR & StudBudz Dominate NWSL Week

  • News: Tobin Heath Weighs in on Trinity Rodman’s Future

USWNT vs Italy (2-0)

The U.S. women’s national team closed out 2025 in style with a 2–0 win over Italy, completing a four-game winning streak to end the year. Catarina Macario stayed red hot after her brace last week, opening the scoring in the 20th minute with a delicate cross-body chip off a setup from Lily Yohannes. Jaedyn Shaw added a highlight-reel second before halftime, curling a long-range strike into the corner after cutting inside from the left.

The U.S. controlled the match throughout, dominating possession and outshooting Italy 13–6, though goalkeeper Francesca Durante kept the scoreline respectable. The win marked the team’s third straight clean sheet, all with Claudia Dickey in goal, following victories over Portugal, New Zealand, and Italy earlier in the window. With no major tournaments left this year, the USWNT finishes with strong momentum under Emma Hayes and will return to action in January with a friendly against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

Spain vs
Germany (0-0)

Germany and Spain played to a 0–0 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Nations League final, but the scoreline masked a dominant German performance. Germany outshot Spain 15–3 and consistently disrupted Spain’s buildup while creating the better chances. Sjoeke Nüsken was pivotal in midfield, repeatedly winning the ball and initiating attacks, while Nicole Anyomi, Klara Bühl, and Jule Brand all came close to breaking the deadlock. Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll was forced into several key interventions, including a late stoppage-time race to smother a potential winner.

Despite their control and chance creation, Germany failed to convert, with several opportunities either missing the target or being cleared at the last moment. The result leaves everything to play for in Tuesday’s second leg in Madrid. Germany will take confidence from their performance but face the lingering question of whether they can finally turn dominance into goals, while Spain will be relieved to escape with a clean sheet despite being under sustained pressure.

England vs China (8-0)

England delivered a ruthless display at Wembley, storming past Asian Cup holders China PR with an emphatic 8–0 victory. After a competitive opening 10 minutes, the Lionesses seized control when Beth Mead struck twice in rapid succession, followed quickly by goals from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway. Stanway added a penalty before halftime to complete a brutal first-half onslaught that sent England into the break with a commanding 5–0 lead.

The dominance continued after the restart as Stanway completed her hat-trick early in the second half, becoming the first female midfielder to score three at Wembley. Ella Toone and Alessia Russo added the final two goals, with Russo’s relentless pressing directly creating Toone’s finish. Stanway was deservedly named Player of the Match, capping a night where England’s pressing, movement, and clinical finishing overwhelmed China from start to finish.

Spain to Play Without
Champ Bonmatí

Spain heads into the Women’s Nations League final against Germany facing a major setback after three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí broke her left fibula in training just two days before the decisive second leg in Madrid. The first leg ended 0–0 in Germany, and her sudden injury cast a somber mood over the Spanish camp. Coach Sonia Bermúdez called the loss “huge” but stressed that player health comes first, while captain Irene Paredes echoed confidence in the squad’s ability to step up despite the emotional blow.

Bermúdez emphasized Spain’s depth and tactical versatility, saying any of the 24 players is prepared to fill the gap as she pursues her first title since taking over as head coach in August. Even Germany’s coach Christian Wück acknowledged Bonmatí’s world-class status but noted that Spain still has the quality to compensate. Spain has reached the final of four straight major tournaments, winning the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Nations League but losing the Euro 2025 final on penalties.

Germany, meanwhile, continues to deal with its own injury issues, including absences for Giovanna Hoffmann and Lena Oberdorf, though the team drew confidence from a strong first-leg performance in which Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll was heavily tested. Defender Janina Minge said the return match will be “extremely difficult” but insisted Germany believes it can finish the job and claim the title in Madrid.

TOGETHXR & StudBudz Dominate
NWSL Week with 4M Impressions

TOGETHXR and StudBudz made a major digital impact during NWSL Championship week, generating four million impressions in just 72 hours through a first-of-its-kind content takeover that blended sports, entertainment, and culture. The collaboration featured active WNBA players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman as immersive hosts throughout the week, from media day through a pre-match livestream with Megan Rapinoe. Working alongside the NWSL and CBS, TOGETHXR introduced an unscripted, personality-driven alternative to traditional pregame coverage that brought fans unprecedented behind-the-scenes access.

The results were massive: the takeover reached 3.8 million accounts and accounted for 74% of all social engagement during the championship match. Three livestream videos alone pulled in 1.3 million views across Instagram and TikTok. Top-performing content included playful player interviews, fan-favorite moments with Megan Rapinoe and Emily Sonnett, and interactive media-day challenges with Gotham FC and Washington Spirit players, reinforcing TOGETHXR’s growing influence in reshaping how women’s sports are covered and consumed.

USWNT Star Warns Trin
About Moving To Europe

With the 2025 NWSL season ending in a championship loss for the Washington Spirit to Gotham FC, speculation is growing around the future of Spirit star Trinity Rodman, whose contract expires next month. Rodman has been strongly linked to a potential move to England’s Women’s Super League, sparking debate among fans and former players about whether she should test herself in Europe or remain in the NWSL. While many see the appeal of overseas competition, concerns are rising locally about how her departure would impact both the Spirit and the league.

Former USWNT standout Tobin Heath weighed in on the rumors during the A Touch More podcast, urging Rodman to stay in the NWSL. Heath acknowledged that she typically encourages players to go to Europe, but said Rodman’s situation is different because of her unique star power in the U.S. “Her game will be 100% louder here,” Heath said, emphasizing that the NWSL’s star-driven culture allows Rodman to be the face of a league in a way Europe cannot match. Heath added that Rodman’s continued presence in the NWSL would benefit both her personal development and the league’s growth in American sports.