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The Gunners stole the show in the first round of group stage fixtures in this season's UWCL, with Chelsea also victorious in France.

Lyon, the eight-time European champions and current holders of the Women's Champions League title, had never conceded more than four goals at home before this week.

On Wednesday, Arsenal came along and not only smashed that record, but also inflicted a biggest-ever defeat in this competition on the side that has dominated it for so long by winning 5-1 in France.

It was the headline result from the first round of group stage fixtures in this 2022-23 season, which wasn't without incident elsewhere, either.

Whether it was Barcelona hitting Benfica for nine, Chelsea leaving Paris with three huge points or Roma getting their first ever win in the Champions League proper, there was plenty going on across matchday one.

With 28 goals scored and plenty of history made, GOAL picks out the winners and losers from a crazy two days…

GettyWINNER: Jonas Eidevall

When the team news came out for Arsenal's game away at Lyon, it required a double-take. Vivianne Miedema, the Gunners' star player, was on the bench.

With Miedema deployed in midfield under Jonas Eidevall and that area needing some defensive reinforcement against the reigning champions, it was a sensible decision.

Playing Stina Blackstenius instead of the Dutchwoman as a centre-forward made some sense, too, as the Swede's movement off the shoulder and in behind the depleted Lyon defence would cause the hosts problems.

However, had Arsenal lost the game, it would no doubt be a stick to beat the coach with; a choice to be scrutinised. It was extremely bold in a huge game against top opposition – but it paid off.

Frida Maanum, who came in for Miedema in the middle, had perhaps her best game in an Arsenal shirt, while Blackstenius was exactly the threat Eidevall would've wanted.

It was no bad reflection on Miedema herself, just simply an excellent performance by the coach on a night where his tactical decisions were brilliant and his well-prepared game plan was wonderfully executed by his players.

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Lyon

A biggest ever defeat in Europe. The most goals ever conceded in a home game. A result that matched the club's worst ever defeat in any competition. Wednesday was a record-breaking day for Lyon – and not in the manner they have become so used to.

It is a concerning scoreline for a number of reasons. First of all, it is one that every club in Europe will take note of, so if and when they come up against Lyon, they will look at Arsenal's display to see how to beat this formidable side.

Secondly, it comes in a 'group of death'. Juventus, whom OL only beat by one goal in last year's quarter-finals, are also in this pool. Most games will be tight, so such a heavy defeat could have even bigger repercussions than usual.

However, this historic loss also exposed how badly this team is missing key players. For starters, Lyon have just two fit senior centre-backs.

They are also missing 2018 Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg and the generational talent of U.S. women's national team star Catarina Macario – among many others.

With a large handful of those absentees not expected back for a few months, it is a worrying situation to be in.

Now, it's up to head coach Sonia Bompastor to do the best she can with those available to navigate what will no doubt be a tricky path out of this group – if she can find it.

GettyWINNER: Ingrid Engen

It's been a tricky start to life in Barcelona for Ingrid Engen, Norway's talented defensive midfielder.

She arrived in Catalunya last summer after a wonderful final season with Wolfsburg, having proven herself one of the best players in her position, and spent her first year at the club getting to grips with the Barca style.

However, just last month, the club paid a world-record fee for another excellent performer in that role – England's Keira Walsh.

It means Engen's competition for a place in the team is even tougher and that opportunities to show what she can do are even more important to take.

On Wednesday, she got one of those, starting against Benfica. Her display might not have been the headline-maker in a 9-0 victory, but it was quietly impressive and extremely tidy.

It was a reminder of why Barca signed her, what she can bring to the team and, all in all, her quality.

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GettyLOSER: PSG's attack

It's been a difficult start to the season for Paris Saint-Germain, a team dealing with the long-term absence of star striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto, while getting used to the ideas of a new coach and integrating a number of new players.

France international Kadidiatou Diani was picked out by Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson as one of PSG's biggest threats before the two met on Thursday, and she has been in great form to make up for Katoto's spell on the sidelines so far this term, scoring four goals in five league games and two in three in Europe.

However, it was particularly apparent on matchday one of the UWCL group stage just how much she is missing her injured team-mate, a player she has formed such a deadly partnership with over the years.

So often those combinations between the PSG attackers were off-key on Thursday and in a game of few chances, it was even more apparent.

That Lieke Martens was also missing through illness was another blow on this occasion, but that chemistry between the forward players will need to develop quickly if the French side are going to unlock the goals required to escape one of this season's toughest groups.

Mohamed Salah was among those on target as Jurgen Klopp's side finished their Dubai Super Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over AC Milan

Darwin Nunez made a goalscoring return to action as Liverpool finished their Dubai Super Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over AC Milan.

The Uruguay international netted twice after replacing Roberto Firmino for the final half hour at the Al-Maktoum Stadium, on a night when both Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara were also on target.

Salah gave the Reds a fifth-minute lead, finishing off after fine work from Joel Matip, but Alexis Saelemaekers' low strike drew the Serie A champions level.

Thiago restored Liverpool's advantage before half-time, arrowing a fine effort into the bottom corner from 25 yards, and Jurgen Klopp's side continued to dominate despite a raft of second-half changes.

One of them was Nunez, and he wrapped up the game in the final eight minutes, first converting coolly after a brilliant pass from fellow sub Bobby Clark, and then finishing from close range after good play from another teenage starlet, Ben Doak.

The game won, Liverpool then missed the chance to add a bonus point to their tally as they were beaten 4-3 in a penalty shootout, with Kostas Tsimikas and Naby Keita both denied from the spot.

Here, GOAL runs through the winners and losers from the Reds' final warm-up game before the season resumes…

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Thiago Alcantara:

In full flow, there are few footballers more pleasing on the eye than Thiago, and the Spaniard gave something of a masterclass here, displaying his full array of talent in front of a drooling audience.

The game was less than four minutes old when he picked up possession in his own half, flicked the ball up and speared a volleyed pass out to Andy Robertson. Soon after, he was spraying it to James Milner on the opposite flank. Fifty yards, pinpoint.

Just before half time, he was on the scoresheet, controlling the ball 25 yards out and firing an unstoppable low half-volley into the far corner. Technique personified, that one.

Stefan Bajcetic:

Liverpool's midfield may be in need of an overhaul, but this lad certainly looks like he's ready to be part of its future.

At 18, Bajcetic has already begun to establish himself as part of Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad, and his showing here suggests there will be plenty more to come.

Pep Lijnders believes the Spanish U19 international has "all the attributes needed" to be a top-class No.6 for the Reds, and it is noticeable just how comfortable the former Celta Vigo prospect looks in a position which demands a lot in terms of concentration, maturity and discipline.

Bajcetic's positional play, his anticipation and ability to hoover up second balls, is already at a very high level, and he plays with a confidence, composure and awareness which is way beyond his tender years.

His physicality will improve, and will need to, as he gets older, and he must still overcome big hurdles if he is to become a permanent fixture in a side which will hope to be challenging for the biggest prizes in the coming years.

But so far, so very promising.

Darwin Nunez:

Welcome back, Darwin! After disappointment in Qatar came a promising return to action in Dubai, as Nunez wasted no time at all in picking up where he left off for Liverpool prior to the World Cup.

The Uruguay international needed only half an hour to make his mark here, scoring twice to put the seal on a good victory for his side, and offering good omens for his manager ahead of the big restart.

Nunez had already stung the palms of Antonio Mirante, the veteran Milan goalkeeper, by the time he found himself on the end of a quite wonderful pass from youngster Bobby Clark. He stayed calm, slotting home low inside the near post to make it 3-1.

Then came a simple second, converted from close range after a driving run and selfless cross from Ben Doak, a 17-year-old whose early first-team forays suggest will have a big future in the game.

Nunez capped his promising cameo by scoring, somehow, from the spot in the penalty shootout, and with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota both sidelined until well into the New Year, Liverpool need their £64m man to keep up this kind of form.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Andy Robertson:

Milan's equaliser is not a goal Robertson will want to see again.

Having initially been unlucky to be caught just underneath the crossfield pass from left to right, the Scotland captain simply had to do more, one-v-one against Alexis Saelemaekers.

Instead, he allowed the Belgian international, who narrowly missed out on a place at the World Cup, to work his way into the box, where he was able to fire a low, left-footed strike past Caoimhin Kelleher into the corner.

Robertson had his hands up apologising soon after, as a wayward pass led to another Milan chance, and he will know he can play far better generally than he did here.

Mind you, best to get them out the way before the real stuff starts back up.

Joe Gomez:

We already know who the centre-backs will be when Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup next week.

With Virgil van Dijk not due back until Monday, and with Ibrahima Konate currently preparing for the World Cup final, it will be Gomez and Joel Matip, surely, who line up at the Etihad.

Klopp, then, will have wanted to see them look assured against strong opposition here, but while Matip looked the part, defending sharply and setting up the opening goal for Mohamed Salah, Gomez's afternoon was a little more concerning.

Where was he going, 90 seconds in, when Liverpool's defence was cut open by the most straightforward of passes through the middle of the field? Marko Lazetic let him off the hook with a poor finish, but Erling Haaland won't be quite so generous, one suspects.

Gomez has not had a great season so far – although he saved his best performance for City's visit to Anfield in October – and you'd have to say he's fourth-choice at present, with Van Dijk, Konate and Matip all offering greater stability and consistency.

Curtis Jones:

Liverpool's home-grown midfielder was nowhere to be seen here, as his season of frustration continues.

Jones has managed only six appearances, and only two starts, since being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his tibia following the Community Shield in July, and though he was part of the 33-man squad which travelled to Dubai, he has not been able to train fully and therefore played no part in either of the Reds' fixtures.

Sources have told GOAL that the club are simply being cautious with the 21-year-old – "managing his load," as one put it – but with midfield options already thin on the ground, and games coming thick and fast once the season restarts next week, Jones once more finds himself playing catch-up.

Getty ImagesLiverpool Ratings: Defence

Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10):

Helpless with the goal. Otherwise untroubled. Distribution was good.

James Milner (7/10):

Showed all his class and experience at full-back, where he defended with poise and attacked with regularity.

Joel Matip (7/10):

Marauding Matip is back! Great burst forward to create the opening goal for Salah. Defended well on the front foot.

Joe Gomez (5/10):

Still doesn't look entirely comfortable. Caught out by a straight pass inside two minutes, and his distribution was scratchy.

Andy Robertson (5/10):

Caught out for the Milan equaliser and delivered a few loose passes. Can play better.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Stefan Bajcetic (7/10):

Positionally good, won lots of second balls and played with composure and confidence. A proper talent.

Thiago Alcantara (8/10):

A joy to watch at times with his passing and technique. Beautiful goal to make it 2-1.

Harvey Elliott (7/10):

Always bright, and rarely wasteful. Liverpool's best stuff came when he got involved.

The Dutchman was the star of the show as the Anfield outfit hammered United 7-0 on a historic afternoon on Merseyside

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes are very much alive and kicking after they sensationally tore high-flying Manchester United apart on a historic afternoon at Anfield.

Two superb goals from Cody Gakpo, two from Darwin Nunez and two from Mohamed Salah, plus an emotional strike from substitute Roberto Firmino, gave the Reds an incredible 7-0 win over their fierce rivals, and moves them up to fifth in the Premier League in the process.

On a quite remarkable day, the thrashing represents the biggest winning margin ever in the fixture, beating the record set all the way back in October 1895, when the sides were competing in the Second Division.

Having scored four and five against United in the league last season, Liverpool somehow went not one, but two better this time.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Alisson Becker (7/10):

Got away with a nightmare moment in the second half. Otherwise fuss-free.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (8/10):

Some great switches, and was switched on defensively.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Should have scored, but did his main duties well.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

Held the high line well under pressure and played with composure amid the maelstrom.

Andy Robertson (9/10):

Brilliant pass to create Gakpo's opening goal, and was superb throughout. A top performance.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Fabinho (7/10):

Booked in the first half, so had to tread carefully. Feeling his way back into form gradually.

Harvey Elliott (8/10):

A couple of poor giveaways, but a lovely assist for Nunez and loads of endeavour. Played well.

Jordan Henderson (7/10):

Poor first half. Much better after the break. Good cross for the fifth goal.

Getty ImagesAttack

Mohamed Salah (9/10):

Superb against Shaw, and what a pass for Gakpo's second goal. Then added the icing to the cake with a couple of goals of his own, and still had time for an assist for Firmino!

Darwin Nunez (8/10):

Lethargic first half, but was there to make it 2-0 and there again to make it five. He makes things happen.

Cody Gakpo (9/10):

Wonderful touch and finish to open the scoring, even better one to make it 3-0. Supreme performance.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Diogo Jota (6/10):

On with the game won.

Stefan Bajcetic (7/10):

Rattled Fernandes.

Roberto Firmino (10/10):

Given a heroes ovation, and responded with a goal. Liverpool legend.

James Milner (N/A):

Must have loved this. Ended up doing stepovers on the left wing.

Curtis Jones (N/A):

On late for a piece of the fun.

Jurgen Klopp (9/10):

Picked the right team and got the response he wanted. Second half performance, in particular, was stunning.

One of the top midfield prospects in world football, the France international is beginning to thrive in a new role, despite hating the position

In the 35th minute of Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Manchester City, Eduardo Camavinga did something very few left-backs are capable of. He played a quick one-two with Luka Modric before taking off down the line — and driving deep into the Citizens' half. The Frenchman strode past a languid Bernardo Silva, before laying the ball off to Vinicius Jr. The Madrid winger did the rest, driving a shot past a sprawling Ederson to give Los Blancos a 1-0 lead in the tie.

And although Vinicius' finish grabbed the headlines, Camavinga's build-up play set it all up. His assist wasn't a very left-back thing. Then again, Camavinga isn't really a left-back. By trade, he is a central midfielder. He tackles like a hard-nosed No.6, and carries the ball like a true box-to-box No.8. At times, he can ping passes like a regista. And some of his passing in the final third is on par with classic No.10s

For this Madrid side, he's an – admittedly reluctant – full-back, a player operating out of position. After deputising in the role for the past three months, he's steadily become one the best in Europe, and perhaps holds the key to stalling City's high-powered attack in Wednesday's second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

GettyThe journey begins

Camavinga captured the imagination of Europe after turning in a Man-of-the-Match-winning performance for Rennes against Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. A skinny 16-year-old at the time, he quite comfortably dominated a midfield that included Marco Verratti and Marquinhos, lifting Rennes to an unexpected 2-1 win over the Parisians.

Watch the clips, and you'll see a child do all the things adult footballers do. He evades pressure with aplomb, cleverly wins free-kicks and pings a ball to the far post for Rennes' second goal. He recycles possession, picks the right times to dribble forward, and at one point evades the entirety of PSG's midfield before being clattered as he enters the final third. This all came with Camavinga playing as what Spanish football refers to as 'the pivot', a lone central defensive midfielder tasked with anchoring a three-man unit — a job usually reserved for veterans of the game.

But this wasn't a particularly Spanish player, certainly not the kind of maestro usually employed by Real Madrid or Barcelona. It was strange, then, when Los Blancos shelled out €40 million (£34m/$47m) to snatch him from Ligue 1. The club, at the time, had the best midfield trio in the world, with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro serving as a perfectly balanced unit. There was no room for a teenager, certainly not one that seemed an odd stylistic fit.

Still, Carlo Ancelotti trusted him all the same, and made Camavinga his first option off the bench during his debut campaign. He scored on his Madrid debut, and logged consistent minutes as the team rolled through the Champions League to a 14th European title.

Notably, Camavinga played everywhere in midfield. His first start came on the right, but he also appeared as a No.6, No.8, on the left and even as a right-winger. Ancelotti is not a manager to force players into the XI, to shoehorn them into inappropriate spot. Indeed, he has shown that he would rather use the ageing Nacho at right-back than jam the better, younger but left-footed David Alaba at the position. Camavinga, then, played on merit — a 19-year-old forcing himself into Spain's best, most established side.

AdvertisementThe growth continues

The 2022 Champions League final was wrapped up by the time Camavinga stepped onto the pitch. Leading the game 1-0, Madrid hadn't enjoyed an extended spell of possession for 10 minutes, but Liverpool, in truth, never looked like scoring. This time, the Frenchman was charged with playing on the right. In five minutes on the pitch, he touched the ball seven times, won a tackle, and had the pleasure of being on the field when the final whistle blew. That briefest of cameos showed that he didn't quite have the trust of his manager yet — not fully, at least.

It would, though, prove to be the last time Camavinga would be used so sparingly. Ever since, he has either started or become a crucial entrant off the bench. Ancelotti has entrusted the France international with 18 starts in La Liga, and seven out of a possible 10 in the Champions League. These days, Camavinga is absolutely vital.

He's even been preferred to Madrid's big-name summer signing. When Madrid brought in Aurelien Tchouameni for an eye-watering €100m (£89m/$106m), Los Blancos seemed to have found their Casemiro replacement. The Monaco midfielder was still young, and he was far from the same profile as the departing Brazilian, but in theory, they snagged the best, most complete, No.6 on the market.

However, he hasn't quite panned out — not yet, at least. Such is the curse of playing for Madrid that a player is regarded as an irredeemable failure after a poor month or two, and Tchouameni, understandably, hasn't been perfect. But this is a side that doesn't have much time for imperfections, something Tchouameni has learned during his frequent exclusions from the XI in recent weeks.

It is, on occasion, Camavinga who has stepped into his role. Such was the case in Los Blancos' Champions League last-16 second leg against Liverpool, when Camavinga was preferred to his international team-mate. He was instrumental for the first 45 minutes in that fixture, quelling notions of a comeback from the trailing English side.

Getty ImagesQatar changes things

It is something of a myth that France coach Didier Deschamps was the first manager to use Camavinga as a left-back. Such is the flexibility demanded by Ancelotti, the player had some notion of what was required to play the position already.

Still, Deschamps has to be given credit for realising that Camavinga's defensive chops were well-suited to the position. He started a group-stage contest at left-back at the World Cup, and was introduced as a 70th-minute substitute at the position in the final as France lost control of that side of the pitch.

And although Argentina would go on to win the now-famous contest, Camavinga's influence undoubtedly changed the game. Lionel Messi had run France's left side ragged for much of the first half, and the defensively-lacking Theo Hernandez often found himself caught out of position. Camavinga's assuredness at the back helped turn the tide, and was crucial as France scored twice towards the end of normal time.

Ancelotti was clearly watching intently. When Camavinga returned to Valdebebas, he saw his role evolve. He played sparingly at the position through January, but at the end of the month, he was handed his inaugural start as a full-back proper. By early April, he was first choice — despite Los Blancos having other options at the position.

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Getty ImagesNot his best position

"It still isn’t my position.” Those were the words of Camavinga after his composed performance at left-back helped Los Blancos see off Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals. It's something he's said repeatedly, both behind closed doors to Ancelotti and to the media.

But the manager has disregarded his words — albeit in a typically smooth, understanding way. Back in February, the Italian coach said: "H>e has surprised us all as a left-back… He has played very little in this position, but he creates a lot of danger in the opposition's half. And he also has defensive work. He doesn't like it, but we do."

It, admittedly, takes a hefty dose of selflessness from Camavinga to perform in such a manner. His career could perhaps look radically different at this point. That 16-year-old pinging passes around PSG could have stayed in Ligue 1 for two more years, before being some massive club's most expensive signing. He is exactly the kind of player that PSG are linked with every summer, before inevitably moving to Real Madrid or Manchester United.

But Camavinga, like it or not, perhaps knew he would find himself in such a situation. At 18, he was never going to walk into Madrid's midfield. Nor would he even be a nailed-on starter within a few years. For a squad that is constantly upgrading, nothing beyond the next few months is certain. This hasn't been his preferred spot, but Camavinga has made himself indispensable.

That Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City are locked in a four-way title showdown is only one reason why the WSL's conclusion will be thrilling

The Women's Super League's season finale is fast approaching, and it appears that everything is going to go down to the wire.

Manchester United top the table ahead of Wednesday's crunch clash with Arsenal, who are only three points off the pacesetters – and have a game in hand.

It is one of several high stake matches set to take place before the 22nd and final matchday kicks off on Saturday 27 May.

🏆 TOP STORY: Thiago Silva hits out at Chelsea owners📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: Who has been the biggest Chelsea flop this season?🚨 MUST READ: Gravenberch: Liverpool's Bellingham alternative?

But don't just tune in for the climax. There is plenty to keep an eye on between now and then, at both ends of the table and away from it altogether, too.

So, why should you be following the WSL run-in? Let GOAL explain…

GettyChelsea's pursuit of immortality

As we approach the final month of the WSL season, Chelsea sit on the brink of something special.

Last year, the Blues became the first team in the league's history to win three successive titles. This time around, they could become the first side to lift the trophy four times in a row.

It would be a particularly incredible achievement when you consider the injuries manager Emma Hayes has had to contend with this campaign. Pernille Harder and Fran Kirby, two of their best players, have only played 12 league games between them all season.

Given their destiny is in their own hands, Chelsea are the favourites – but it looks certain that this title race will go to go down to the wire.

It's Manchester United who sit at the top of the table, by one point, having played a game more. Three points off the pace, with a game in hand, are Arsenal, and then come Man City, only behind the Gunners on goal difference.

The top four separated by three points? We're in for quite the finale.

AdvertisementGettyOne huge club will miss out of Europe

What makes the close quarters at the top all the more interesting is that the WSL only has three Women's Champions League spots available.

One of United, Chelsea, Arsenal and City will not play European football next season.

It's cruel that one will miss out because it will likely be by the finest of margins, but it adds an extra element of excitement to the league this year that has not been seen too often before.

Four times in WSL history, a team has missed out on the UWCL by a single point. Otherwise, the places have been secured rather comfortably. Furthermore, for each of the last eight seasons, the top three has always been Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal, in some order or another.

United's improvements threatened to change that last year, before they fell short. This year, they've come along even more and stand a really strong chance of breaking the stronghold that trio has.

To have a genuine title contender possibly missing out on Europe adds incredible jeopardy to the league. So, who will suffer this season? And how will they cope in the transfer window by missing out on such an attractive competition?

GettyLeicester attempt to achieve the impossible

When the WSL went into its Christmas break, Leicester were rooted to the bottom of the table with nine games played, nine games lost, no points gained.

To be quite honest, they looked absolutely doomed.

Even when they beat Brighton on January 15, it looked like a real relegation battle was unlikely in a league that only demotes one team. But then the Foxes beat Liverpool in February, drew with Everton in March and beat Reading in April. That last result took them out of the danger zone.

Suddenly, teams towards the bottom find themselves in a much more perilous situation than they might've imagined they'd be in when Leicester were winless.

Brighton, Leicester, Reading and Tottenham are now separated by just three points at the bottom of the table, and the team that appears most likely to drop into the Championship seems to change every week.

Could a side with as big a name as Spurs actually drop back into the second tier? Will Reading maintain their status as the only WSL team not linked to a men's Premier League side? Will Brighton's third managerial change of the season pay off? Will Leicester's attempts all be in vain in the end?

There are not many points left to play for and every single one will be increasingly precious for this vulnerable quartet.

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GettyAn unlikely Golden Boot race

One of the quirks of this WSL season is that none of the teams currently sat in the top three spots have players in the hunt for the Golden Boot.

United's top scorers are Alessia Russo and Leah Galton, both on eight. Chelsea's Sam Kerr, who scored 20 last season and 22 the year before, is tied on the same number. Arsenal's most prolific player has been Frida Maanum, a midfielder who wasn't even in the Gunners' starting line up when the season began.

It has instead become a two-horse race between a player from the team in fourth, Man City's Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, and a player from the team in fifth, Aston Villa's Rachel Daly.

The former's remarkable goalscoring exploits, with 16 goals in 17 games, were predicted by many before the campaign began. With service from England duo Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp, plus her own ability to forge opportunities out of nothing and well-rounded skillset, Shaw was a front-runner for the accolade before a ball was kicked.

Daly's form, meanwhile, has been a welcome surprise. That's not to doubt her quality but to commend the progress Aston Villa have made this season and, as a result, the consistent service they have provided their No.9, who has produced excellent finishing and movement herself.

Villa were 11th when Carla Ward took over as manager. This season, they look nailed on for fifth and have one of the most in-form strikers in the league leading that charge, with 13 goals from her 17 appearances.

Shaw is in pole position to scoop up that Golden Boot, but that could all change before the end of the season.

Spoiling tactics are ruining the game as a spectacle, but Brighton, Napoli and others have shown that it is still possible to win and entertain

Towards the tail end of last season, Verona played Bologna in a Serie A game at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi. The hosts won a desperately scrappy encounter 2-1, thus boosting their hopes of beating the drop. In that context, Verona's rather defensive display, coupled with their attempts to waste time at every possible opportunity, were understandable.

Bologna boss Thiago Motta was fuming, though. "Today was like the Italian football of years ago," he told reporters. "There was always someone on the ground. One guy went down, the physio came on, then the physio went off. Then, another guy went down and the physio came on again. With such a tempo of play, I don't think my guys could have done much better."

For those that cared to comment, Motta was cast as a sore loser trying to claim a moral victory after an actual defeat, portraying him as some sort of football-hipster-manager that gets upset when opponents have the audacity to defend deep against a clearly superior, free-flowing side. However, Motta had a point when he argued that the officials should be going more – or, perhaps more accurately, instructed by their bosses to do more – when it comes to tackling time-wasting and simulation.

"When someone continually stops the play, it's obviously difficult to play with continuity," he argued with rather flawless logic. "So, by allowing these stoppages, you favour the team that wants to play anti-football, and not the one that actually wants to play."

Pathe'The game is about glory'

This is nothing new, of course. Since football's very inception, spoiling tactics have been employed against the greatest exponents of 'The Beautiful Game' (see Pele's Brazil being literally kicked out of the 1966 World Cup). It's nearly 50 years since Danny Blanchflower famously stated, "The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It’s nothing of the kind. The game is about glory. It is about doing things in style, with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot – not waiting for them to die of boredom." And yet those words still resonate today.

Granted, much has been done in the modern era to improve the game as a spectacle. For those unfortunate enough to remember Italia 90, just think of how far we've come since then. The tournament was so dour, so defensive, that FIFA literally had to change the rules in the years that followed, outlawing the back-pass rule to alleviate the tedium caused by the ultimate 'out-ball', and clamping down on challenges from behind in order to protect flair players.

As Motta pointed out, though, it's high time that similarly drastic action was taken to eradicate time-wasting and simulation, which remain important tools for the most pathetic practitioners of anti-football.

Advertisement(C)Getty Images'The dark arts'

It is often argued that there is no right way to play football – but there is most definitely a wrong way. While previewing last season's Champions League final, pundit Jamie Carragher said while he wasn't advocating that Inter use "the dark arts" in Istanbul, he did feel that it might be their only chance of sufficiently upsetting Manchester City to put them off their game.

In the end, of course, Inter didn't need to resort to such gamesmanship. They carried out Simone Inzaghi's disciplined game-plan to near perfection, nullifying the threat posed by Erling Haaland & Co. until Rodri, of all people, broke the deadlock after being teed up by a fortuitous deflection. Thereafter, Inter dominated and would have deservedly forced extra-time – and maybe even won the game – had it not been for their misfiring forwards.

Consequently, the Nerazzurri received plenty of praise for their performance – and rightly so, because there was certainly no shame in applying a counter-attacking approach against such an overwhelming underdog. What is unforgivable, though, is an elite club or coach having negativity as their default setting.

Getty'Maradona showed them how much beauty there is'

When Napoli played Juventus midway through last season, long before a first Scudetto in 33 years became a formality, Luciano Spalletti pointed out the game at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona represented a classic contrast of styles, "two different philosophies" that epitomised the struggle between the purists and the pragmatists for control of the term 'good football'.

For Massimiliano Allegri, 'good football' is winning football. Aesthetic considerations simply don't enter into the equation. In that sense, he is the perfect coach for the grand Old Lady of the Italian game. As Spalletti said, "Allegri espouses the Juventus' motto: 'Winning is the only thing that matters.'

"However, here, in Naples, it's all heart and soul. There was Maradona, the people saw him play, and when he won, he showed them how much beauty there is in football and we can't help but take some of that beauty with us and remember that football, hoping to reproduce it."

And they realised that objective, that dream, in the most glorious possible fashion, by not only winning the Serie A title but doing so with a brand of football that made them revered around the world. Despite losing one club legend after another last summer and replacing them with bargain buys, Spalletti managed to remind everyone that it is still possible for smaller clubs to both win – and entertain – on the most uneven of economic playing fields. And he wasn't alone in that regard.

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(C)Getty ImagesDe Zerbi silence his critics

In the Premier League, Roberto De Zerbi was met with the same kind of scepticism that Arsene Wenger encountered in England more than 25 years ago, and yet led Brighton into UEFA competition for the first time in the club's history – and with a sublime style of play that even had Pep Guardiola purring.

De Zerbi reportedly declined the chance to speak seriously to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis about succeeding Spalletti as coach at the Maradona because he sincerely believes that he can get Brighton into the Champions League. And why shouldn't he?

The Seagulls have already lost Alexis Mac Allister this summer and Moises Caicedo could follow his fellow South American out the door at the Amex, but given they boast an excellent team and an outstanding coach, Brighton really could prove England's answer to Atalanta, who qualified for the Champions League for three years in a row under Gian Piero Gasperini, even reaching the quarter-finals in 2020.

It was the Bergamaschi, remember, who helped put Andrea Agnelli's nose so out of joint that he redoubled his efforts to introduce a Super League. Atalanta provided proof that even a provincial club could beat the big boys if they recruited sensibly and had a clearly defined footballing philosophy.

Just as the likes of Spalletti, De Zerbi, Freiburg's Christian Streich and Union Berlin's Urs Fischer are dismantling the idea that the only way to compete in this money-saturated modern era is to play defensive, counter-attacking football.

The resource gap between teams in the Women's World Cup can sometimes lead to some pretty one-sided encounters

Since the first FIFA-sanctioned tournament in 1991, the Women's World Cup has served up every flavour of drama you can expect from top-level football. This includes that most dreaded of scorelines – the thrashing.

As with any international competition, the gulf in quality between the haves and have nots can often be vast, making blowouts unavoidable if the weaker teams have a poor day. With the 2023 World Cup expanding to include 32 teams, there had been whispers that they will be even more of these one-sided contests in Australia and New Zealand.

However, even before this increase in weaker footballing nations, there has still been plenty of colossal scorelines racked up in the competition. Below, GOAL takes a look at the biggest victories in Women's World Cup history.

Getty ImagesNorway 6-0 Philippines (2023)

After a hugely disappointing start to the 2023 World Cup, things finally clicked into place for Norway in their final group game against the Philippines. Even without Ada Hegerberg leading the line, the European side breezed to a 6-0 victory.

Sophie Roman Haug opened the scoring in the sixth minute and went on to complete a hat trick. Caroline Graham Hansen – controversially dropped for her side's previous game against Switzerland – also netted, with an Alicia Barker own goal and a Guro Reiten penalty completing the rout.

AdvertisementGettyGermany 6-0 Morocco (2023)

Coming into the tournament off the back of losing in the Euro 2022 final, Germany were motivated to go one step further in Australia and New Zealand. And they made a strong start to their campaign against World Cup debutants Morocco, hitting them for six.

The irrepressible Alexandra Popp got the ball rolling with a first-half brace and Germany turned the burners on after the break. First, Klara Buhl made it 3-0 in the opening minute, before a pair of own goals and a late strike from substitute Lea Schuller completed the rout.

Getty ImagesCameroon 6-0 Ecuador (2015)

Ecuador had a bit of a meltdown during their group-stage meeting with Cameroon in 2015. After falling 2-0 down early on, they gifted their visitors three penalties before full-time, with Ligia Moreira also seeing red for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Cameroon won their final spot kick in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, and Gaelle Enganamouit stepped up to complete her hat-trick, sealing a historic win for a side in the process.

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Getty ImagesGermany 7-1 Russia (2003)

Few people saw this one coming. Russia had done well in the group stages, with victories over Australia and Ghana earning them a place in the quarter-finals.

Germany were their opponents in the knockout stages and things were going pretty well by half-time; Martina Muller's goal was the difference between the teams. However, the Germans stepped things up in the second half, scoring six times. At least Elena Danilova's goal provided Russia with something to shout about.

New England Revolution have hired Tab Ramos as assistant coach after Bruce Arena resigned from the club last week.

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New England appoint RamosWill act as assistant coachHired after Bruce Arena resignedWHAT HAPPENED?

Ramos, who made 81 appearances for the United States national team and was Jurgen Klinsmann's assistant at the USMNT until 2016, has been added to the MLS team's technical staff. He will assist interim head coach Clint Peay for the remainder of the MLS campaign.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ramos' appointment comes after Bruce Arena resigned from his role as head coach following an internal investigation at the club. Arena was initially removed from his position on August 1 over alleged 'insensitive and inappropriate' remarks.

WHAT THEY SAID

Technical director and interim sporting director Curt Onalfo told the club's website: "We are pleased to welcome Tab Ramos to our coaching staff in New England. In addition to a Hall-of-Fame career as one of the best players of his generation, Tab’s wealth of experience as a coach, knowledge of our league, and proven track record of developing top talent will all be assets to our club as we get ready for the postseason."

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

New England Revolution will play their first game with Ramos as assistant when they take on Chicago Fire this week.

MUNDIAL is a 100-page magazine released four times a year that reminds you why you love football through cult heroes, weekends away, brilliant writing, forgotten goals, beautiful photography, and more. All the good stuff.

Join the MUNDIAL community todaySubscribe here!

From Sunday League and sausage and chips, to Champions League and iconic kits, we celebrate the game and the things around it that make people happy.

We think this issue is perfect for you because you love football in the same way we do… so here’s a little look at some of the things you’ll find inside Issue 27.

Getty Images1Adel Taarabt stealing souls

The idea that the streets, or anyone, could ever forget Adel Taarabt is to do him a disservice. Nobody will ever forget Adel Taarabt, and especially not the QPR fans who saw him play for the club over 150 times between 2008 and 2015.

As fan and writer James Wright says: “My abiding memory is that he used to make me sit back and laugh. He did things on the pitch with such a level of precociousness, of such an imperial footballing arrogance that I could only find exasperated laughter. He was ridiculous”.

You’ll find Adel on the left-wing in our MUNDIAL All-Stars team.

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Get MUNDIAL delivered to your doorSign up nowAdvertisementAmin Musa courtesy of Classic Football Shirts2The best Ajax shirt of all time

Ajax might be the cradle of Total Football, the home of Johan Cruyff, a talent machine that just keeps on producing players for the top shelf… but it’s also the club that could lay claim to having the best football shirts ever.

For the MUNDIAL All Stars Third Kit, we’ve chosen this Umbro away shirt from their 1989-90 team, the shirt that started the run of funky Umbro graphic shirts that defined the Bergkamp era.

A Classic Football Shirts Hall of Famer. A design masterpiece. About as grail as it gets.

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3The maddest chants from around the world

A bit like the website for song lyrics you don’t understand, we’ve gone from the sprawling cities of South America to quaint English towns to explore the ways that thousands of people in football stadiums sing insulting things together to offend opposition fans.

So, from the Scottish singing “DEEP FRY YER PIZZAS, WE’RE GONNA DEEP FRY YER PIZZAAAAS” to Southend fans singing “SOUTHEND PIER IS LONGER THAN YOURS” to other towns with piers, we’ve broken down some of the best terrace chants in the world.

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4Going for a drink with Zidane, Messi & Co

Don’t know about you, but we spend quite a lot of time thinking about what it would be like to go for a drink with some of our favourite footballers of all time. To turn that into more of a reality, we’ve written about doing that with every winner of the Ballon d’Ors, in a piece called . Get it?

Sparkling water and with Zidane, a night in the casino with R9, and waking up on a beach after capirinhas with Rivaldo.

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Manchester United are locked in a race with Barcelona to sign 18-year-old Royal Antwerp star Arthur Vermeeren, according to a report.

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United eye midfielderBarca and Liverpool also after himValued at around €20mWHAT HAPPENED?

The midfielder, who has been compared to Andres Iniesta, has impressed for the Belgian champions since breaking into the first team last season. According to , Manchester United, Liverpool and Ajax have been watching him closely.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Premier League teams may already be behind in the race to get the 18-year-old, however, as reported more recently that Barca director Deco has already discussed the defensive midfielder with Marc Overmars, his counterpart at Royal Antwerp and fellow former Blaugrana star.

WHAT THEY SAID

Antwerp coach Mark van Bommel confirmed interest in the Belgian, who is reportedly valued at around €20 million (£17m/$21m), from top teams before his side faced Barcelona in the Champions League this season, telling reporters: "I am very happy that he has been playing with us all this time. It is incredible how he has improved in one year. Since he started playing he has been decisive. He is not only interesting for Barcelona but for all the teams."

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

United's immediate attention will be on their upcoming Premier League match against Crystal Palace.