Kosovare Asllani has come through surgery on the serious knee injury she sustained in March, with the 36 year old sharing news of the operation on Instagram alongside a thumbs up photograph that confirmed the procedure went well. The London City Lionesses captain wrote, “Now the real journey begins,” in her post, signalling the start of what promises to be a lengthy and demanding rehabilitation process for one of the most decorated players in women’s football history.

The injury occurred during London City’s WSL clash with West Ham, when Asllani suffered damage to multiple ligaments in her knee, including a complete ACL tear. A diagnosis of that severity always pointed toward surgery, and the club confirmed the extent of the damage shortly after the incident.

Asllani Opens Up on Heartbreak of Diagnosis

The Swedish international did not shield her raw emotion when addressing the injury publicly, describing it as precisely the kind of setback every professional footballer dreads receiving. Learning the full damage had been confirmed clearly devastated her, which is completely understandable given her age and the timing during London City’s historic debut WSL season. Asllani has been the heartbeat of everything the promoted club achieved in the top flight this term.

Surgery Successful as Recovery Begins in Earnest

The thumbs up photograph posted alongside her Instagram update suggests the operation delivered the outcome her medical team was targeting. Getting through surgery cleanly is the essential first step, but the genuinely difficult work starts now. Months of intensive rehabilitation, setbacks, and physical rebuilding await before she can even consider returning to competitive football.

Long Absence Looms for Lionesses Legend

ACL recoveries typically demand nine to twelve months minimum, meaning Asllani realistically faces missing the entirety of next season. At 36, the questions surrounding whether she returns at all will grow louder as time passes. She has the mental strength to prove everyone wrong, but London City must plan carefully for an extended period without their irreplaceable captain.

Also read: Alessia Russo Beats Fellow England and Arsenal Star to Women’s Super League Player of the Month Award as Lionesses Striker Named March Winner Alongside Boss Renee Slegers

Mary Earps received a standing ovation at Wembley on Tuesday night before England defeated world champions Spain 1-0 in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier, with Lauren Hemp’s third-minute strike proving the difference.

The pre-match ceremony honouring the former England goalkeeper carried enormous emotional weight, given everything that had surrounded her explosive autobiography and subsequent fallout with Sarina Wiegman and Hannah Hampton in recent months.
Leah Williamson sprinted towards Earps the moment she appeared on the pitch.

Lucy Bronze had her arm around her seconds later. Whatever tensions existed behind closed doors, the Lionesses made their feelings clear publicly, and the Wembley crowd roared throughout. Wiegman had asked fans beforehand to welcome Earps warmly rather than make the evening uncomfortable, but she need not have bothered worrying.

Hampton Silences Every Critic With 90th Minute Save

The narrative could not have been written more dramatically. Hampton, who had been publicly criticised in Earps’ book and has struggled for confidence at Chelsea this season, produced a stunning stoppage time save to preserve the victory against a Spanish side who had dominated large spells. Keira Walsh called it unbelievable. Fran Kirby on BBC commentary acknowledged Hampton had arrived in camp with serious question marks hanging over her, but suggested this moment could transform her season entirely. It very well might.

Earps Finally Gets the Farewell She Deserved

Eight years, 53 caps, a European Championship, a World Cup final penalty save and a landmark battle that forced Nike into producing women’s goalkeeper replica kits. Earps retiring under a cloud of controversy last year always felt unfair given her contribution to women’s football.

Tuesday night finally gave her the proper send off her career warranted, with FA chair Debbie Hewitt presenting flowers and a framed shirt before a packed Wembley crowd. The toxicity has gone. The legacy remains entirely intact.

Also read: Young Chelsea Stars Help England Under 23s Reach Euro Final as Lexi Potter and Chloe Sarwie Named in Starting XI for 1-0 Netherlands Victory

Katie McCabe delivered when it mattered most on Tuesday, volleying a stunning effort into the bottom right corner to hand Republic of Ireland a crucial 3-2 victory away to Poland in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The Arsenal skipper was involved from start to finish, completing the full 90 minutes as Ireland climbed to third place in Group B with their maiden qualifying win of the campaign.

McCabe took to Instagram postgame with a clear focus: “All about the three points tonight. Big one Saturday, see you at the Aviva.”

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Lionesses Dominate Spain at Wembley
Over at Wembley, England made it three wins from three in Group C with a 1-0 result against Spain. Alessia Russo produced a clever assist for Lauren Hemp’s opener in just the third minute, scooping the ball forward while off balance.

Lotte Wubben-Moy also went the full 90 minutes for the Lionesses, who now sit three points clear of Spain at the summit. Chloe Kelly came on late in proceedings, while Beth Mead and Taylor Hinds were unused substitutes.

Leah Williamson was absent from the matchday squad entirely.

Dutch Delight and More Qualifying Drama
Netherlands edged France 2-1 at home to move to the top of Group B, with Daphne van Domselaar playing the full match and Victoria Pelova contributing 71 minutes.

Norway cruised to a 5-0 win over Slovenia in Group D, with Frida Maanum on the pitch for 68 minutes. Sweden suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Denmark, leaving them third in Group A.

In the FIFA Series, Olivia Smith played 60 minutes as Canada beat Korea Republic 3-1, building on their earlier 4-0 win over Zambia in which she set up Annabelle Chukwu’s goal.

Also read: Arsenal Women Goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger Steps Up Recovery From Long Term Injury as Austrian International Returns to Training Pitch Six Months After ACL Surgery