The World Sevens returned this week, with eight teams enjoying end-of-season fun at Brentford's G-Tech Stadium. The Sevens tournament is literally a different ball game: half-size pitches, different rules, flamboyant celebrations and just six outfielders. It's chaotic, action-packed and gloriously entertaining. And that's just the walk-ons.
How does World Sevens Work?
World Sevens fixtures comprise of two 15 minute halves, with roll-on, roll-off substitutes and no offsides. With only six outfield players, there is an emphasis on constant movement and a definite bias towards attacking football.
As a result, positional stability is at best flexible, and at worst non-existent. Attackers find themselves slide-tackling in the their own box, defenders end up in the opposition area trying to apply the killer touch. No offsides means that players can occupy any space and the ball moves from either end at a pace akin to basketball.
There are no draws too. Games have to reach a conclusion, either in the five minute Golden Goal period of extra time, or the classic penalty shootout which follows. Tables are decided by points
It isn't just the matches that are eye-catching. Teams enter the pitch in a variety of ways ranging from just smiling and waving, to choreographed performances. A player 'birthing' a football, a bowling performance and team acrobatics are just some of the delights on show. The officiating team also show a lighter side: a particular highlight being the referee penalty shootout.
It's not trying to be serious. The regular season offers that pressure enough towards players. Instead, the 7s allows their personalities to shine through and whilst there is still a good prize on offer - the winning team will pocket $500,000 for three days of competition - it's definitely not played with the same competitive edge seen in the Women's Super League, FA Cup, League Cup or Champions League.
The other great benefit for the World Sevens has been opportunities for younger players to shine. With youth football increasingly dominated by technical skills, Sevens is the ideal platform to demonstrate these learnings.
It's also special for fans to get a glimpse at some of the best and brightest within their academy. It also affords opportunities to fringe players, who may have not enjoyed as many minutes as they would like during the regular season.
Which Teams Are Playing In World Sevens
Eight teams have opted to play in the tournament in London. The showpiece names are Chelsea and Manchester United, but other names carry lustre too. Everton, London City Lionesses and Leicester complete Group A alongside the Blues, whilst the Red Devils are joined by Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
World Sevens Group A
Chelsea vs Everton
The opening fixture of the competition saw the Battle of the Blues, with Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea taking on Scott Phelan's Everton.
The League Cup winners struck the first blow after just five minutes. A quick start saw Courtney Brosnan save from Sandy Baltimore, but the Frenchwoman was able to slip the ball back to Erin Cuthbert.
The Chelsea captain made no mistake, driving in the opener. Chelsea's joy was short-lived though as Everton equalised minutes later, through an own goal from Livia Peng.
Right before half-time, Everton snatched the lead as Katja Snoeijs tucked home neatly after a quick throw-in routine. Their opponents hit back barely a minute after half-time, however. This time, it was Aggie Beever-Jones finishing into the top corner.
The game swung their way again, after Lauren James's pin-point through-ball was thrashed home by Sjoeke Nusken. One final twist in normal time was to come, as Hikaru Kitagawa finished from close range from a Snoeijs cross. 3-3 at full time.
The Golden Goal period was bound to be frantic and frenetic, and it was no surprise a mistake settled the contest. Everton gave the ball away cheaply to Lauren James who calmly strode into the box and laid it on a plate for Beever-Jones to roll into the net.
FT: Chelsea 4-3 Everton (AET)
London City Lionesses vs Leicester
In the other clash in this group, recently relegated Leicester City came up against big-spending London City Lionesses. Rick Passmoor's side showed no signs of feeling sorry for themselves, quickly opening the scoring. Young talent Nelly Las found herself in the perfect spot at the back post to bury a header past Emily Orman.
The Foxes continued to dominate and despite LCL bringing on a number of international stars, it was Leicester who grabbed the second goal.
Rosella Ayane collected Sarah Mayling's incisive pass and showed some superb footwork to make space. With a yard of room, she thundered a strike into the top corner past a hapless Elene Lete.
This seemed to spark London City into life, and Leicester keeper Katie Keane was required to make several impressive saves to keep her team ahead. She was unable to secure a clean sheet, though. As Jocelyn Precheur's side piled players forward, Australian defender Alanna Kennedy found herself in the box. She finished with the composure of a seasoned striker: low, hard and driven into the corner.
Despite a couple of other chances, they were unable to find parity, however, and Leicester secured their first win in any competition since December 2025... also against London City Lionesses.
FT: London City Lionesses 1-2 Leicester
London City Lionesses vs Everton
Following a break, London City were back on the pitch against Everton. With both sides looking for their first points in the competition, it was no surprise there was a more cavalier approach from both sides.
Everton were first to strike, with Lioness Ruby Mace thundering the opener in the corner. The Toffees created multiple chances as LCL again struggled to get used to the format and it was surprising they were unable to extend their lead before the half-time break.
This pattern of play continued afterwards, with Toni Payne, Mace, Rosa Van Gool, Yuka Momiki and Maz Pacheco all guilty of missing decent opportunities. They did manage to grab the second that their play warranted late in the half. After assisting the opening, Zara Kramzar again was centre to the action, tucking home very neatly following good work by Katja Snoeijs.
Similarly to the previous match, London City only came alive in the final moments. It was a rare mistake from Courtney Brosnan, who misjudged a cross. This left Lucía Corrales with a simple header into the empty net. However, Everton comfortably saw the remaining seconds out, to claim their first win.
FT: London City Lionesses 1-2 Everton
Chelsea vs Leicester City
It was Chelsea's turn to get back to action, as they faced Leicester in the final fixture of Matchday 1. Both sides knew that a second win would almost guarantee progression to the semi-finals, and it was the Blues who again opened the scoring.
This time it took less than one minute. A quick attack saw several blocked efforts before the ball rebounded to Aggie Beever-Jones. She produced an inch-perfect rabona cross which was steered in by Erin Cuthbert for her second goal of the tournament.
Leicester hit back moments later in equally stunning style. Noemie Mouchon saw Becky Spencer off her line and produced a brilliant chip from range into the far top corner.
Bompastor's side did retake the lead on the tenth minute. Another incisive attack ended with Wieke Kaptein neatly finding a yard and driving into the bottom corner. Within two minutes, it was almost deja vu in terms of spectacular equalisers, but Hannah Cain's fierce volley crashed off the bar.
Chelsea sealed the deal in the second half. A fast break led by Beever-Jones saw her play in Sandy Baltimore and the French international drove an excellent finish past Janina Leitzig. The Blues did have some options to add more gloss to the scoreline, with Lauren James and Beever-Jones both missing good chances, but in the end, they ran out comfortable winners.
FT: Chelsea 3-1 Leicester City
Everton vs Leicester City
On Day 2, Everton took on Leicester City with both sides knowing only a win would secure a knockout position. A spectacular start from Everton saw Snoeijs open the scoring after just two minutes.
They doubled the lead through Kelly Gago's precise angled strike before Leicester pulled one back through Noemie Mouchon. This was just the start.
Hannah Blundell's pass was tucked away by Snoeijs to re-affirm the two goal lead, before Claire Wheeler absolutely larruped a strike into the top corner right before half time. The effort was impressive, as was the co-ordinated group celebration which appeared to encompass the entire squad.
Not to be outdone in the goalscoring stakes, Ruby Mace added her name to the scoresheet with a venomous long-range effort that rasped into the corner to make it 5-1.
Hannah Blundell grabbed a rare goal minutes later as Everton continued to run riot. It was seventh heaven in the 24th minute as Mace strode through the middle of the park to set up Hikaru Kitagawa. Leicester youngster Denny Draper added her name to the increasing list of scorers with two minutes to go, finishing well from Sam Tierney's cross.
With seconds left on the clock, there was still time for Sevens history to be made as Everton secured the largest winning margin in the competition's short history. Again Mace was involved. This time, she slipped in Rosa Van Gool who fired high into the roof of the net. Qualification secured and the Toffees were starting to look a real force in the format.
FT: Everton 8-2 Leicester City
Chelsea vs London City Lionesses
The final fixture of Group A was an all-London affair, with already-qualified Chelsea and already knocked out London City Lionesses clashing. The opening goal went the way of the underdogs. Nikita Parris, a perrennial nemesis for Chelsea stole a yard inside the box and drove low past Hannah Hampton.
The lead was short-lived, however, as a precise passing move from Chelsea saw Keira Walsh play in Lola Brown. The Chelsea academy graduate tucked a neat finish home to restore parity.
Having levelled the scores, Bompastor's side took a two goal lead before the half-time break. First, Kadeisha Buchanan's enterprising run saw her play in Baltimore. The French winger had a lot to do, but expertly drilled the ball into the far corner despite the defence's best attempts to block. Then right on the whistle, Keira Walsh bundled home following Veerle Buurman's pass across the box.
London City did hit back right after the internal. A corner from Delphine Cascarino found Wassa Sangare and she nodded past Hannah Hampton to halve the deficit.
After a tense second half which saw both teams miss chances, Chelsea sealed the win in somewhat fortunate circumstances. A deflected pass spun perfectly into the pathway of Aggie Beever-Jones and the Lioness continued her excellent tournament by calmly finishing at close range.
There was still time for one final goal, and it was the most impressive of the clash. Beever-Jones was again at the heart of it, with a stunning outside the boot pass which landed perfectly across the box for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd to tuck into the corner. A perfect record for Chelsea going into the Semi Finals.
FT: Chelsea 5-2 London City Lionesses
World Sevens Group B
Manchester United vs West Ham United
Manchester United took on WSL strugglers West Ham in the opening fixture of Group B. Marc Skinner's side had already played in World Sevens last summer in Estoril, agonisingly losing the final.
They started sharply against the Hammers, taking a quick 2-0 lead through Melvine Malard, before Elisabeth Terland grabbed the 2nd, slotting home Simi Awujo's pass.
The goals continued to flow, with Malard dispatching again before Terland made it 4-0 before the 10th minute had even elapsed. West Ham did rally and pull a goal back, with Riko Ueki's cross steered home expertly by Ffion Morgan, but Norwegian Terland completed her hat trick barely a minute later to leave it 5-1 at half-time.
The scoreline didn't flatter Manchester United, but it did lead to the Red Devils taking their foot off the gas.
This gave West Ham the confidence to start mounting a comeback, which began with Morgan drilling in from long range past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
With four minutes left on the clock, Ueki reduced the deficit futher, heading home Estelle Cascarino's expert cross. Rita Guarino's side scored a third unanswered second half goal with Eva Nystrom tucking home.
However, despite a couple of late nervous moments, Manchester United clung on to record their first win.
FT: Manchester United 5-4 West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
The other Day 1 clash in Group B saw Natalie Arroyo's Villa take on Martin Ho's Tottenham. The Villains made a fast start, with Noelle Maritz's strike after two minutes opening the scoring.
Kirsty Hanson then drove home in the ninth minute to further increase their control. Tottenham missed a number of decent chances to halve the deficit, before youngster Rachel Maltby added a third, before Scottish attacker Hanson scored her brace to leave Villa 4-0 up at half-time.
Spurs had struggled to get used to the clinical finishing required format in the first half, but did get themselves on the board through Cathinka Tandberg.
This joy was short-lived, as Oriane Jean-François restored the four goal lead. However, from kick-off, Amanda Nilden finished Signe Gaupset's pass to continue a topsy-turvy two-minute spell. There was still time for further goals, as Maltby finished expertly again - celebrating with an impressive backflip - before Nilden grabbed her 2nd to restore some pride for the Lilywhites.
FT: Tottenham 3-6 Aston Villa
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
Day two began with the two victors from Day 1 duking it out. Both sides knew a victory would almost certainly secure them top spot, but it was the more experienced Manchester United side that took control.
They got their just rewards as French star Malard once again opened the scoring, hammering into the top corner from outside the box.
With barely any time left in the first half, they doubled the lead. Sabrina D'Angelo made a number of good saves to deny United, but she was powerless to prevent Anna Sandberg poking home literally on the line from Gabby George's cross.
The one-sided nature of the contest continued in the second half, with Ella Toone, Ellen Wangerheim and Millie Turner all seeing efforts repelled by D'Angelo. English defender Turner was not to be denied, however, as she powered home a third from very close range.
The fourth goal was the pick of the bunch. Simi Awujo laid the ball off to Jess Park, who thundered a strike into the roof of the net from range. Villa had struggled to lay a glove on United all game and despite some late chances for Georgia Mullet and Ebony Salmon, Manchester United recorded a rare 7s clean sheet.
FT: Manchester United 4-0 Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United
With both teams reeling from heavy losses in their opening game, it was inevitable that one side would manage to dust off the cobwebs to take control.
That accolade went to Tottenham, whose academy graduates shone in the opening moments. Araya Dennis scored her first goal of the tournament and her first senior goal for the club before Ella Morris made it two with a neat finish inside the box.
It was another academy graduate involved in the next big moment, though not for the right reasons. Ruby Mace's clumsy challenge gave West Ham a penalty, which Estelle Cascarino emphatically drove into the top corner.
Spurs young stars continued to impress though and they did re-assert control of the scoreline with a minute left before the half-time break. Spurs Player of the Season Olivia Holdt was central to the action, teeing up Gaupset who tucked a strike in the bottom corner.
The second half didn't see as many goals, but wasn't short of goalmouth action. West Ham piled players forward to try and get back into the tie; Tottenham were unable to find the killer fourth goal.
They did finally settle the contest in the 25th minute. Tandberg's good hold-up play allowed her to lay the ball off to Eveliina Summanen who prodded home. This left Spurs with a chance to qualify still, if they could see off Manchester United in the final game of the day.
FT: Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 West Ham United
Aston Villa vs West Ham United
The Clarets vs the Clarets concluded their group stage action, with Guarino's side already eliminated and Arroyo's team knowing a win would put them in pole position to make the semi-finals.
They started with intent and Hanson's pass forward was expertly controlled and steered into the net by former Lioness Rachel Daly. The lead didn't last long. A quick corner routine saw Vivanne Asseyi square the ball right across goal for captain Shelina Zadorsky to tap home.
Clear chances were at a premium until the final minutes of the first half. In the 14th minute, Salmon cut inside and from outside of the box rasped a strike into the top corner, leaving the keeper rooted. From kick off, West Ham lost the ball cheaply. This allowed Maya Hijikata to steal in and chip the ball forward for Lucia Kendall to finish on the half-volley.
Chances were at a premium after the break, but West Ham did reduce the deficit. A stylish passing move ended with Riko Ueki's backheel finding Tuva Hansen.
The Norwegian defender - a World Sevens winner with Bayern last summer - finished well. However, she was later stretchered off with a nasty injury, as the Villains saw out their slender lead.
FT: Aston Villa 3-1 West Ham United
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
The final fixture of Group B saw Martin Ho facing his former side knowing only a win would put Tottenham through. Hopes of this victory were quickly dashed as United took a comfortable lead within five minutes.
Malard continued her fine tournament lashing a drive past Eleanor Heaps, before her incisive pass set up Anna Sandberg barely 30 seconds later.
United continued to dominate and a neat one-two between Terland and Jess Park saw the England winger tuck home. It was 3-0 at half-time, and Park doubled her own tally a minute in the second half; a solo run ending in an assured finish into the corner.
From the kick off, Spurs did manage to get their own goal. Tandberg and Gaupset combined again, with the former's finish squirming past Tullis-Joyce. As they flooded players forward, Spurs were caught on the break with Lea Schuller scoring a fifth. Terland squared the ball Julia Zigliotti Olmo for a sixth, before Jess Park's free kick was deftly steered home by Maya Le Tissier's header.
An enterprising run from Holdt resulted in a driven strike past Kayla Rendall in the United goal for a second for Spurs. Marc Skinner's side still wanted the final word, though and they grabbed their eighth as Jess Park broke away to complete her hat trick.
There was time for one more entertaining moment. Malard's blatant handball resulted in a penalty which goalkeeper Sophie Jackson stepped up to take... and proceeded to fire over the bar. United and Villa through to the Semi Finals, with United equalling the record for most goals scored in the a World Sevens fixture.
FT: Manchester United 8-2 Tottenham Hotspur
World Sevens Semi Finals
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Group A winners Chelsea met the free-scoring Aston Villa side in the first semi-final. An early scare for Livia Peng was followed up by an excellent save as the Villains piled on early pressure.
However, Chelsea's tournament star Aggie Beever-Jones again opened the scoring a minute before half-time. Collecting a pass from Keira Walsh, she slalomed inside to drive a low shot from range into the corner. The second was also all her own work, dispossessing Rachel Maltby, showing neat footwork to make space before confidently slotting home.
More solo goals followed as Mayra Ramirez held off Georgia Mullett to finish neatly, before Sjoeke Nusken's run ended with an unselfish pass to Wieke Kaptein to make it 4-0.
Chelsea couldn't keep a clean sheet though, as Kirsty Hanson weaved past two players to guide a strike into the corner. The goals kept coming as a mistake by Miri Taylor allowed Ramirez to walk in her second. Pick of the goals did go to Villa. Rachel Daly spotted Peng off her line and expertly chipped her from range.
A rampant Blues continued to attack and netted three more times. First, good pressing by Cuthbert saw her play in Beever-Jones and she returned the ball to the Scot for a simple finish. Barely a minute later and Kaptein's pass across the box was crashed home by fellow Dutchwoman Veerle Buurman.
The final goal came a minute later. Again, it was Buurman, this time controlling Baltimore's expert cross and side-footing in from close range.
Another team matching the 8-2 World Sevens record, and Chelsea looked in fine form going into the World Sevens Final.
FT: Chelsea 8-2 Aston Villa
Manchester United vs Everton
The second semi-final looked closer on paper and it did start off that way, with both teams being quite cagey and struggling to create major chances.
An impressive strike broke the deadlock as Elisabeth Terland drove a rasping strike into the far corner from a tight angle. Marc Skinner's side doubled their lead in the 11th minute. Slipshod Everton defending saw the ball break to Simi Awujo and the Canadian returned it with interest into the corner past Emily Ramsey.
Scott Phelan's side reached this stage on merit though and did reduce the deficit. A perfect pass found Katja Snoiejs and she finished well, but United scored again from kick-off. Once more, it was their tournament stars combining. Jess Park's enterprising run saw her lay the ball off to Malard and the Frenchwoman curled brilliantly into the top corner.
Everton were not to be denied though, and Kelly Gago burst through again from the restart to score a solo effort. 3-2 and finely poised at half-time.
A cagey second half saw Everton push hard to get back into the contest, but the game was settled with three minutes left. Schuller turned inside the box and her low strike took a knick to wrong-foot the keeper. Another attack followed as United looked to put gloss on the scoreline and although Terland's strike was saved, Awujo was able to prod home a fifth goal.
Once again, Manchester United had reached the Finals of the Summer World Sevens series. The question now was could they go one better than last year?
FT: Manchester United 5-2 Everton
World Sevens Final: Manchester United vs Chelsea
The two top seeds and two pre-tournament favourites met in the final. Chelsea had already beaten Manchester United in the Women's League Cup Final, and knocked them out the FA Cup, and were looking for a hat-trick.
For United, it represented a chance to right the wrongs of last summer's loss against Bayern Munich in Portugal.
Manchester United started the better of the two teams and opened the scoring in deserved fashion after five minutes. Elisabeth Terland's strike was blocked by Hannah Hampton, but the loose ball fell to Jess Park. She arrowed a strike into the bottom corner to light the touchpaper.
Chelsea hit back a minute later, with Sjoeke Nusken taking advantage of a fortunate deflection to stride forward and thunder a near-post effort past Saf Middleton-Patel.
A swift three minute spell gave United a comfortable cushion. Jess Park scored goal of the game, and the tournament caressing an outside-of-the-boot effort from an angle into the far corner.
Park was enjoying herself and a sensational solo run ended in Aggie Beever-Jones heading a impudent chip off the line. Her clearance only found Lea Schuller who clipped a cross in for Anna Sandberg.
With United rampant, Ellen Wangerheim played through Melvine Malard whose low strike darted past Hannah Hampton. 4-1 with just ten minutes on the clock.
Chelsea were not going to give in easily, and they hit back in impressive fashion. Wieke Kaptein's neat layoff saw Keira Walsh pass an effort into the bottom corner. The Dutch midfielder then played in Aggie Beever-Jones and she reduced the deficit further from close range.
They found the leveller a minute before half time. Nusken's excellent wide run and low cross was steered home by a delighted Ellie Carpenter. 4-4 at half-time of an incredibly enjoyable final.
The second half started in equally dramatic fashion with United re-taking the lead. A neat pass into Schuller allowed the German to turn and fire home.
What followed was a war of attrition, with Chelsea unable to find the key moment to draw level until the 27th minute. Alyssa Thompson was given far too much space and the American winger ate up the ground to fly into the United box. Although her initial effort was blocked, it fell perfectly for Beever-Jones to head home her second of the game, seventh of the tournament and tenth of the contest.
The last two days had been Aggie Beever-Jones's time to shine and it was no surprise the Lioness had the final word with barely 30 seconds left. Collecting a pass from Hampton, she swerved inside past Maya Le Tissier and caressed a strike into the corner past the despairing Middleton-Patel.
Her emphatic celebration saw her take in a victory lap around the arena - the first time United had trailed all tournament. Beever-Jones herself guaranteed the Golden Boot with eight goals, and she also collected the playmaker award, with five assists.
Wild celebrations followed as Sonia Bompastor's side celebrated their first ever World Sevens title, and it was the perfect way to cap an incredibly fun three days in the sun.
FT: Chelsea 6-5 Manchester United
