Top 5 Goals: NWSL Matchweek 5 and Women’s Champions League

Between the NWSL and Women’s Champions League Semifinals, we’ve been spoiled with some incredibly entertaining matches over the last week. Lyon and PSG battled for French supremacy, and recent European rivals Chelsea and Barcelona met once again to settle the score. The NWSL had 27 total goals scored across the league, which is great for attracting more fans to this game we love. It was tough to whittle it down to a few, but here are your Top 5 Goals from the NWSL Matchweek 5 and the Women’s Champions League Semifinals. 

5. Amel Majri – Lyon

💥 MAGICAL MAJRI 💫

Lyon complete the comeback after being 2-0 down!

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Lyon came from behind in dramatic fashion to take a 3-2 lead on aggregate heading into the second leg of the Champions League Semifinal. Amel Majri scored the game-winner with this incredible finish in the midst of chaos. There are bodies on the ground; the ref clearly let Lyon play on, and Majri found herself in a bit of space. The craftiness and composure to hit this hesitation move with a stepover to get around the defender are brilliant. Majri still needed to provide the finish and did so while falling off balance to her left. The shot didn’t have a ton of power, but the accuracy was perfect, and clipped the post before going in. What an iconic Champions League moment, certainly one for the history books. 

4. Melchie Dumornay – Lyon

😱 MON DIEU, DUMORNAY, WHAT A GOAL ❗❗❗

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— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 20, 2024

The Haitian international gave Lyon a lifeline by tying the game 2-2 with this stunning strike. Wendie Renard found her at the top of the box, and Dumornay put a great fake on the defender, which freed up the space to take an extra touch. Dumornay still had a lot to do but knew exactly where she wanted to put the ball. A decisive touch helped set the stage for the shot, but no one would’ve guessed that she’d attempted to bend it into the top corner on the same side as the keeper. It’s a jaw-dropping finish that came at the perfect time. Lyon has a clear advantage over PSG heading into the second leg of the semifinals. 

3. Claire Emslie – Angel City

Claire Emslie is only scoring beauties at BMO Stadium 😍💐

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— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 22, 2024

A star is emerging in Hollywood as Clarie Emslie single-handedly took the game into her own hands against the North Carolina Courage. This goal was her second of the game and gave Angel City the insurance goal they needed to win the game. Alyssa Thompson’s pass to set her up was perfect, but Emslie’s chip was even better. The keeper didn’t give her much of a choice and did well to close the angle down. The Scottish international had to chip the ball to beat Casey Murphy, and she did it in style. Emslie has always been a key player for Angel City, but people should start to notice who she is with performances like these. 

2. Claire Emslie – Angel City

CLAIRE EMSLIE WITH A SPECTACULAR FREEKICK 😱

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— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 22, 2024

When it comes to chance creation and goalscoring for Angel City, it’s all fallen on Claire Emslie to produce as Jun Endo is out and Amandine Henry transferred to Utah. The closer the ball is to the goal on a free kick, the harder it is to score because of how hard it is to get the ball to dip under the crossbar after clearing the wall. The ball has to be struck perfectly, with bend, power, and accuracy. If Emslie hits the ball too hard, then she likely hits the wall, or it hits the crossbar. Emslie showed enough finesse and technique to beat the wall and curl it under the bar. It’s a special free kick from a great player.  

1. Tziarra King – Seattle Reign

Tziarra King subbed in to score a BANGER 😱

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— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 21, 2024

This goal might have been too little too late for Seattle, but it has to be huge for Tziarra King’s confidence moving forward. It had been a while since King came off the bench and scored for the Reign, but this was the kind of impact they’d been looking for. King is incredibly talented. This goal could be the start of something great for her this season. The best thing about this goal is how decisive King was. As soon as she got the ball, she looked up, took a quick touch, got her feet set, and let it rip. The end result is an inch-perfect curler into the top corner. It doesn’t get much better than that. The clear-cut choice for No. 1 on our list this week. 

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