On March 15, 2025, Chelsea FC lifted the Subway Women’s League Cup by defeating Manchester City 2-1 at Derby County’s Pride Park, ending their streak of three consecutive finals as runners-up. The match provided thrilling moments for both teams and their fans.
The excitement began just seven minutes after kickoff when Chelsea’s Mayra Ramirez broke through the Manchester City defense to score the opening goal. Lauren James expertly threaded the ball through to Ramirez, whose initial strike was saved by City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. The rebound, unfortunately for City, deflected off defender Laia Aleixandri, allowing Ramirez to pounce on the opportunity and bundle the ball over the line, giving Chelsea the early lead.
Despite Chelsea’s bright start, Manchester City responded vigorously, seeking to assert their dominance. City put pressure on Chelsea’s defenses with numerous attacks, and Hannah Hampton, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, was called upon to make key saves, first denying Leila Ouahabi and then thwarting a powerful effort from Aoba Fujino.
Manchester City’s perseverance paid off when Aoba Fujino scored the equalizer at the 63rd minute. Khadija Shaw provided the assist, setting up Fujino for a powerful strike from within the box. The ball flew past Hampton, nestling firmly in the roof of the net, and leveled the match at 1-1.
City’s joy was short-lived, as Chelsea regained their lead just minutes later. A well-timed move from Chelsea saw Lucy Bronze keep play alive before Ramirez's cross was inadvertently turned home by City’s Yui Hasegawa, scoring an own goal at the 77th minute. This moment marked the turning point of the match, allowing Chelsea to seal their much-anticipated victory.
After the match, the atmosphere was jubilant among Chelsea’s players and supporters. The victory not only marked their redemption from previous League Cup disappointments but also ensured their continued pursuit of multiple titles this season under head coach Sonia Bompastor. "This was not just about winning the cup; it’s about building momentum for the rest of the season," said Bompastor.
The win over Manchester City also fuels Chelsea’s bid for what could be a historic quadruple this year, as they are also competing strongly on several fronts including the Women’s Super League and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Looking forward, the two teams will meet again on March 19, 2025, for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at Joie Stadium, adding another layer of intrigue to their rivalry. Fans eagerly anticipate this matchup, with coverage provided live on TNT Sports and DAZN.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will take on Real Madrid the day before, on March 18, 2025, as the excitement builds around women's football, showcasing the increasing popularity and competitive nature of the sport.
