History was made in Wuhan as Wuhan Jiangda etched their name in football lore by clinching the inaugural AFC Women's Champions League title. In a nail-biting final held in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, the match ended 1-1 before a dramatic penalty shootout decided the trophy.
The tension soared when Melbourne City took the lead in the 76th minute—Leticia McKenna's free kick found Shelby McMahon for a brilliant header. But Wuhan was not backing down! In the 94th minute, a long ball into the box led to a controversial handball incident. After a VAR check, the referee ruled that Melbourne's Mariana Speckmaier had hit the ball with her arm and awarded a penalty to Wuhan. 🚩
Wuhan forward Wang converted the penalty to level the score, and the game then went to a nerve-wracking shootout. With both teams scoring their first four kicks, Zhao Yuxin’s precise spot-kick put Wuhan ahead 5-4, and an incredible save by goalkeeper Chen Chen sealed the win!
This victory not only marks a historic milestone for Wuhan Jiangda but also brings them $1 million in prize money and a spot in the 2026 FIFA Women's Champions Cup. A night of heart-pounding action and determination that will inspire young football enthusiasts everywhere! ⚽🎉
Reference(s):
Wuhan edge Melbourne to win first AFC Women's Champions League title
cgtn.com
