The Barclays Women’s Super League is back with the newly star-studded London City Lionesses side hosting Manchester United in the 2026/27 season opener.
The big news ahead of kick-off here at a sold-out Copperjax Community Stadium is that two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is starting for the Lionesses.
The 32-year-old departed Barcelona in June after scoring 232 goals in 508 appearances, with the ambitious project of London City owner Michele Kang enticing the midfielder to join the side.
Putellas accompanies former PSG star Grace Geyoro, with centre-back Alanna Kennedy also expected to join them in midfield.
London City Lionesses starting XI: Lete; Corrales, León, Kardinaal, Thomsen; Geyoro, Kennedy; Kafaji, Putellas, Cascarino; Van de Donk
Meanwhile, new head coach Eva Olid takes charge of a Manchester United in transition. Much has been said about their lack of recruitment this summer, with the side losing midfielder Lisa Naalsund and centre-back Millie Turner to Birmingham City.
Most notably, top goalscorer last season for the Red Devils, striker Melvine Malard, also joined WSL rivals Chelsea.
United have, however, made several signings in response, with defender Andrea Medina starting tonight after arriving from Atlético Madrid.
Manchester United starting XI: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti Olme; Park, Toone, Medina; Terland
KICK-OFF! We’re underway as the orange sun begins to set over the Bromley skies.
2 mins: London City earn the first corner of the game after a deflected powerful effort from Lionesses midfielder Alanna Kennedy.
The delivery arches into the box but United’s Hinata Miyazawa heads the danger clear.
5 mins: Manchester United right-back Jayde Riviere is receiving some treatment from the medical team after suffering a busted lip.
There seems to be plenty of blood but hopefully she will be able to continue.
8 mins: Jayde Riviere is still in some discomfort but she returns to the pitch as play resumes.
9 mins: GOALLL! London City Lionesses 1-0 Manchester United.
A floated corner-kick delivery from Janni Thomsen sees United’s Julia Zigiotti Olme head into her own net.
The midfielder was under pressure from London City’s Alanna Kennedy, and failed to alter her positioning as her header angled past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
An unfortunate moment for Zigiotti Olme and London City have lift off!
13 mins: Chance!
It was nearly two for London City! Winger Rosa Kafaji slid in a fraction too late to stab home a ball across goal from Delfine Cascarino.
The threat was then haphazardly cleared away by the Red Devils defence.
16 mins: Chance!
London City have really started this contest on the front foot, forcing United’s backline into loose passes in advanced areas.
It is Delfine Cascarino who benefits this time as she receives the ball in the box from Alexia Putellas, but the forward’s powerful strike is parried away by goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
19 mins: Manchester United are yet to register a shot on target in what has been a dominant opening from London City Lionesses.
If the Red Devils wish to gain more control over the contest, they need to get the likes of Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone on the ball.
27 mins: A rather unnecessary challenge from Rosa Kafaji on Jayde Riviere as the London City winger slides in late and catches the full-back.
Referee Emily Heaslip gives the 23-year-old a talking to before Jayde Riviere takes the subsequent free-kick.
33 mins: Frustrations are growing for United as striker Elisabeth Terland looks to drive into space but is cautioned for a push on Isa Kardinaal.
It seemed the Norwegian had fairly won the ball from centre-back, but the referee called the foul.
37 mins: After a fast start from the hosts, it seems Eder Maestre’s side are just happy to keep possession here after several flurries forward from the visitors.
40 mins: CLOSE! A corner-kick from London City centre-back Mapi León is driven low toward the near post, but Lucía Corrales can only direct her header into the outer-side netting.
Rosa Kafaji was in acres of space at the far post and would surely have found the back of the net had Leon picked her out…
ADDITIONAL TIME: There will be two minutes of additional time to conclude the first half here in Bromley.
HALF TIME: London City Lionesses 1-0 Manchester United.
Well it has certainly been an impressive opening 45 minutes from the hosts.
London City have forced Manchester United’s backline into stray passes, with Daniëlle van de Donk initiating the cohesive press.
While the side have a goal to show for their intent, Delfine Cascarino and Lucía Corrales squandered promising chances to extend their advantage.
This will be the good news for Manchester United, who have struggled to overcome London City’s pressure and craft attacks of their own.
45 mins: We are back underway for the second half at the Copperjax Community Stadium.
Can Eva Olid’s Manchester United find an avenue back into the contest?
49 mins: HUGE SAVE! Phallon Tullis-Joyce tips a strong strike from Alanna Kennedy around the post to deny the Lionesses.
The American shouts furiously at her teammates who gave Kennedy far too much time and space on the edge of the box.
52 mins: Another vital stop from Phallon Tullis-Joyce to deny Delfine Cascarino’s rising strike!
It all started with pressure applied to the United backline by Rosa Kafaji as the Swede stole the ball from Jayde Riviere.
If the visitors take any points away from Bromley this evening, they will certainly have Tullis-Joyce to thank for her heroics.
62 mins: SUBSTITUTIONS. Rosa Kafaji makes way for Freya Godrey after a lively display from the left winger.
Godfrey is greeted by rapturous applause from the thousands of fans here in Bromley. The 21-year-old was London City’s top goalscorer last season with six league goals.
It seems Manchester United are also looking to inject some energy into their forward line as promising young winger Monica Jusu Bah replaces left-back Anna Sandberg.
65 mins: London City full-back Lucía Corrales is down holding her ribs after experiencing some discomfort while running along the flank.
It looks as though a stretcher will be brought onto the field for the Spaniard.
67 mins: Left-back Poppy Pattinson prepares herself to come on in Lucía Corrales’ place for the closing stages.
69 mins: SUBSTITUTIONS. Head coach Eva Olid makes two changes as United go in search of an equaliser.
Midfielder Julia Zigotti Olme is replaced by Simi Awujo, while Lea Schüller enters in the place of striker Elisabeth Terland.
Poppy Pattinson also replaces the injured Lucía Corrales for London City.
73 mins: Into the final seventeen minutes now and here is a statistic Manchester United will be desperately hoping to dispel before the full-time whistle.
The side have failed to register a single shot on goal, on or off-target.
Can the introductions of Lea Schüller and Simi Awujo make the difference?
76 mins: They certainly can! Midfielder Simi Awujo burst down the flank, with her cross finding Jess Park on the right-hand side of the box.
The winger took the strike on first time but it flashed just wide of the right post!
80 mins: United centre-back Maya Le Tissier blocks a cross from London City and it will be a corner for the hosts.
81 mins: GOALLLL! London City Lionesses 2-0 Manchester United.
What a finish from Daniëlle van de Donk! A sublime flick from the Netherlands international rolled past Phallon Tullis-Joyce following the short corner from Mapi León.
After a difficult season spent recovering from a persistent knee injury, this will certainly be a moment for Van de Donk to savor as she is embraced by her teammates.
83 mins: SUBSTITUTION. London City centre-back Daniela Arques replaces winger Delfine Cascarino.
84 mins: More substitutions as Hanna Lundkvist replaces Jayde Riviere for Manchester United.
Alexia Putellas also leaves the field after a strong WSL debut from the two-time Ballon d’Or winner. Summer signing and striker from Lyon, Nicole Anyomi, replaces her.
85 mins: CLOSE! Nearly a brace for Daniëlle van de Donk!
The Dutchwoman headed over the bar after a delightful cross from Janni Thomsen toward the far post.
88 mins: London City look likely to seal the victory now with their two-goal margin, which would be a terrific start for the new-look side.
Both of the hosts’ goals came from corner-kick deliveries, so it seems the work of their set-piece coach Sophie Harris is already leaving its mark.
NINE MINUTES OF ADDITIONAL TIME. The lengthy injury to Lucía Corrales means there will be nine minutes of added time.
90+2 mins: It’s a record turnout here tonight at the Copperjax Community Stadium, with 5,402 fans confirmed to be in attendance.
The home supporters will surely have enjoyed what they have seen this evening after such a dominant display from Eder Maestre’s side.
For the travelling Manchester United fans, questions will surely be raised over their struggles to create.
90+10 mins: GOALLL! London City Lionesses 2-1 Manchester United.
The Red Devils have found their consolation at the death through lively substitute Simi Awujo.
The midfielder stabbed home from an Ella Toone free-kick deep into the box.
FULL TIME: London City Lionesses 2-1 Manchester United.
A huge victory on the opening day of the WSL campaign for London City Lionesses.
After much speculation over whether the new star-studded squad could deliver, the side have certainly shown some exciting signs.
The Lionesses’ organised press was terrific in stifling Manchester United, meaning playmakers Ella Toone and Jess Park struggled to make their mark.
Striker Elisabeth Terland also saw a limited amount of the ball and was replaced in the second half by Lea Schuller.
London City, on the other hand, did not start either of their strikers in Freya Godfrey or Nicole Anyomi, and yet had much joy in front of goal.
Left winger Rosa Kafaji looked revitalised after a difficult season with Brighton, and Delfine Cascarino produced a Player of the Match display for her terrific performance on the opposite flank.
London City head coach Eder Maestre speaking to Sky Sports on his side’s victory: “Starting with a win is very important to keep building the confidence.
“I think we were very dominant through the whole game. I really think we deserved this win.
“I hope this kind of result makes the difference in the way we can keep playing in the next games we have.”
The London City boss was also delighted for midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk after her goal doubled the hosts’ advantage.
“I’m so pleased to see Daniëlle scoring and playing well. She brings a lot of energy to our identity, from her commitment and ambition.
“From early in pre-season, she showed what she’s capable of doing. I think she’s going to score many more goals.”
Manchester United head coach Eva Olid admitted her players ‘lacked confidence’ and ‘were not themselves’ against London City.
“I think none of us are happy with the first half. We were not us. Nothing that we have been working on was happening in the first half,” said Olid to Sky Sports.
“In the half time it was me saying to them ‘this is not us, we need to have confidence, belief, show we want the ball. That has to be us’.
“There was a change in the second half but I said at the end that (needs to be) us for 90 minutes. It’s not enough just 40 minutes trying to have the ball.”
On London City’s press causing problems: “We knew that they will come. In the first half we didn’t have the support to receive the pressure. We didn’t have the players in the pockets. Simple things.
“I tried to fix in the first half but still that confidence was not there. In the half time, we used it to fix everything. In the second half when we started playing through the middle, we improved a lot.
“I knew that it will be like this. I totally believed that if we are with confidence we can compete against everyone. Today, if we play 90 minutes as the second half it will be another story. If you have the ball, they are not creating as they created.”
What’s next for both sides?
London City Lionesses face West Ham at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Saturday, 12 September, kick-off 12:45.
Meanwhile, Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, 13 September, kick-off 12:00.
Until next time!
That brings us to the end of tonight’s live blog after an eventful evening in Bromley.
Thank you for being with us to kick-start the 2026/27 Women’s Super League campaign, and make sure to stay tuned for more women’s football action.
Goodnight!
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