Above: Bayern Munich celebrate making the semi-finals. Photo: World Sevens Website.
The inaugural World Sevens competition kicked off this week in Portugal. Impetus’ Catherine MacKenzie breaks down the action from the final group games on day two.
If you missed our recap from today’s early games, you can find it here: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/05/22/the-world-sevens-day-two-part-one/
What is the World Sevens tournament?
The “World Sevens” tournament is a new international seven-a-side women’s football competition. It is being held from May 21 to May 23, 2025, in Estoril, Portugal.
It is normally high scoring, played on a smaller field, with two halves of fifteen minutes and rolling substitutions. The Estoril event marks the beginning of a new international series, with a North American leg planned for later in 2025.
The teams that are involved in Portugal are: Manchester United, Manchester City, Ajax, Benfica, Roma, Paris Saint-Germain, Rosengård, and Bayern Munich. Some teams have taken their full squads, whilst others have left some players at home – particularly those returning from injury (such as Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood).
The first two days consist of group games. The 23rd May will see the top two teams from each group compete in a semi-final; the winner of each semi-final will compete the final.
All games are broadcast free on DAZN YouTube.
Day two evening games recap
Bayern Munich 3 – 1 Manchester City
Rosengard 0 – 2 Ajax
Benfica 2 – 2 Roma
Manchester United 2 – 2 PSG
Bayern Munich – Manchester City
Score: 3 – 1
Goal scorers:
Bayern Munich: Dallmann 2′, Olme 19′, Plattner 27′
Manchester City: Fujino 3′
Takeaways from the game:
The game was relatively even, with both teams having good chances. However, Bayern were more clinical – and capitalised on the inexperience of City’s team. City took risks – and these did pay off at points, however Bayern goalkeepers Grohs and Mahmutovic were rarely troubled.
An unfortunate injury to City’s young goalkeeper Eve Annets saw her leave the pitch 40 seconds after being introduced; a coming together resulting in the concussion protocol. Seconds after the injury, Bayern capitalised on the changeover of goalkeepers, striking quickly to catch out Keating whilst she was still trying to organise her defence.
City’s first loss has no major impact – they are still through to the semi-final tomorrow.
Rosengard – Ajax
Score: 0 – 2
Goal scorers:
Ajax: Yohannes 5′, Jansen 28′
Takeaways from the game:
Both teams knew their competition would end following this game, as neither team made it through to the semi-final. However, there was still a point up for grabs – and a positive end to head back home with.
Heading into their third game of the competition, Rosengard had not yet scored a goal. They came close a number of times, however strong opposition combined with a lack of quality finishing left them goalless. Ajax went toe to toe with Manchester City earlier in the day, only losing that game on penalties.
17-year-old Lily Yohannes has been one of the standout players of the competition – playing her club football with Ajax, she recently committed her future to the USWNT. Technically gifted, for Ajax the tournament may have been more of a curse: with eight clubs involved in the tournament, they may find it even more difficult to keep hold of her this summer.
Benfica – Roma
Score: 2 – 2 (Roma win 1-0 on penalties)
Goal scorers:
Benfica: Amado 10′, Brown 30′
Roma: Pilgrim 27′ (pen), Viens 29′
Takeaways from the game:
Much like the earlier game between Rosengard and Ajax, both Benfica and Roma did not make the semi-finals. Knowing it was their last game and a last chance to get a point on the board, both teams started brightly. The deadlock was broken by a goal from Benfica’s Catarina Amado, who shot in from a short corner, 10 minutes in.
The local team led for most of the match; a penalty in the 27th minute and some inexperienced goalkeeping meant they were ahead within two minutes.
Benfica scored seconds later to level the duel, and both teams had a number of chances with both goalkeepers in action before the game went to extra-time and then penalties.
A strong match, arguably the most even of the day two games. Neither side looked dominant, both sides could have increased the scoreline at any time, and the experience will stand them in good stead.
Manchester United – PSG
Score: 2 – 2 (Manchester United win 7-6 on penalties)
Goal scorers:
Manchester United: Le Tissier 5′, Simpson 21′
PSG: Karchaoui 1′, Echegini 16′
Takeaways from the game:
When this match was scheduled, the main storyline was that United would reunite with a legend of the club: goalkeeper Mary Earps. However, she was rested for the tournament – meaning the headline was about which team would top the group and face Manchester City in a semi-final.
PSG started on the front foot, going ahead within a minute through a team goal seconds into the game.
United looked lethargic for the opening five minutes, and sloppy in possession – the bright spark provided by Maya Le Tissier equalising from outside the box.
PSG were more dangerous – United got into the right areas but were less clinical. Both Middleton-Patel and Rendell made saves to keep United in the tie; PSG’s goalkeeper Kiedrzynek was after a goal of her own, coming close to scoring herself.
Towards the middle of the second half, United gained the momentum – and the tie was an even match. United eventually succeeded on penalties.
Takeaways from day two
The main takeaway from the games today is how much of seven-a-side football is about clear decision-making. On a small pitch, with less time, there is no room for indecisiveness, and one wrong decision can be punished much more easily. We saw this with goalkeepers across the day; choosing to come out, and even though the distance might not be much, they end up near the half-way line.
All seven players in a team also need to both attack and defend – normal roles go out of the window. Playing these different roles with the lack of time to make decisions means players are out of their comfort zone, and forced to make decisions they would not normally make. Having this fish-out-of-water experience will undoubtedly provide learning material moving forward.
The semi-finals and finals take place tomorrow, 23rd May 2025 – Manchester United and Manchester City face off, and Bayern Munich face PSG.
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