GENEVA (AP) — Title holder Barcelona won 5-2 and record eight-time champion OL Lyonnes prevailed 8-0 in their Women’s Champions League openers on Wednesday.
Two storied teams who have won 10 of the 11 last titles still set the bar high in European women's soccer.
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OL Lyonnes' Tarciane, right, plays the ball in front of Servette FC Chenois's Magdalena Sobal during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)
OL Lyonnes's players celebrate the goal against Servette FC Chenois during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
Servette FC Chenois' Natasha Andonova, front, shields the ball from OL Lyonnes' Lily Yohannes during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
OL Lyonnes' Melchie Dumornay celebrates during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match against Servette FC Chenois in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
First, Lyon routed overmatched Servette in a classy display typified in a back-heeled assist by U.S. teenager Lily Yohannes for Marie-Antoinette Katoto to shoot and complete her hat trick in the 47th minute. And in Haiti star Melchie Dumornay's delicate slow chip shot from near the penalty spot to beat goalkeeper Jacintha Weimar in first-half stoppage time.
Barcelona had surged past Lyon 4-0 in the final in Oslo in May, and started its title defense Wednesday after a lot of offseason turnover and without two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas. She is now at ambitious London City Lionesses that shares owner Michele Kang with Lyon.
Paris FC shocked hosts Barcelona with a fifth-minute goal by Canada forward Evelyne Viens but it was 4-1 by halftime, and Poland forward Ewa Pajor added her second goal in the second half.
Brazil forward Kerolin, a signature signing from Manchester City, had leveled in the 18th with a neat shot.
"I was under a little pressure to score and show I can play," Kerolin, the former North Carolina Courage forward said, "so, of course, I'm also happy I could do my job."
In Belgium, Roma substitute Marta Pandini missed a penalty deep into stoppage time of a 0-0 draw at OH Leuven. Pandini's spot-kick struck a post and bounced clear.
Chelsea's 1-0 win over debutant Austria Vienna was settled early by Wieke Kaptein's shot in the 11th.
Servette was a dominant title winner in Switzerland last season, beat three opponents in qualifying rounds for this Champions League, and previously played in the competition five years ago.
Still, Lyon was barely troubled cruising to victory after an eighth-minute own goal by Laia Ballesté, under pressure from Dumornay, to turn a cross by Salma Paralluelo into her own net.
Katoto scored her first two goals with precisely placed shots in the 28th and 40th. A second Servette player, Magdalena Sobal, scored an own goal from an untidy scramble at a corner in the 68th.
The Women’s Champions League is in the second season of this 18-team format, with a single-standings league played over six rounds.
The top four in the standings on Dec. 16 advance directly to the quarterfinals that start in March. Teams placed fifth to 12th enter a playoffs round played over two legs in February.
The final is in late May at Poland’s national stadium in Warsaw.
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
OL Lyonnes' Tarciane, right, plays the ball in front of Servette FC Chenois's Magdalena Sobal during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)
OL Lyonnes's players celebrate the goal against Servette FC Chenois during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
Servette FC Chenois' Natasha Andonova, front, shields the ball from OL Lyonnes' Lily Yohannes during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
OL Lyonnes' Melchie Dumornay celebrates during a UEFA Women's Champions League soccer match against Servette FC Chenois in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2-0 start has been powered by an offense finding the end zone and a defense making quarterbacks increasingly uncomfortable.
Through two weeks, the Raiders are tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, including five in their season-opening victory over Miami and three more during Sunday’s 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Even more encouraging for defensive line coach Travis Smith is how Las Vegas has created that disruption without relying heavily on blitzes.
The production extends beyond perennial Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby. For Crosby, that reflects the work of the entire defensive line and its coach.
“I think the best feeling that we have as a unit is just by playing together, trusting Coach,” Crosby said. “Trav’s been amazing. For our D line group, he’s an incredible coach. ... He’s holding everyone accountable. We have a certain style of play that we want to play, and that’s the standard and what we do. And how we approach everything is at an elite standard of dominance, and that’s what we practice every single day."
While pressure estimates vary by analytics provider, the Raiders applied pressure on 38.7% of Chargers drop-backs and rank first in the NFL at 45.6% through two games, per Pro Football Reference.
“Numbers and sacks and TFL, stuff like that, they come in bunches; you put the work in, and those come,” Crosby added. “And for me, seeing my teammates ball-out and do our thing and helping us play really efficiently on defense, that’s all that matters.”
The ability to generate pressure without sending extra defenders has strengthened every level of the defense. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard can keep seven players in coverage, crowd throwing windows and force quarterbacks to hold the football while Crosby, Kwity Paye and the rest of the defensive front attack with four.
Against Justin Herbert, that formula produced more than sacks. The pressure disrupted timing and complemented a coverage effort in which rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses had two interceptions. Masses, the first Raiders rookie with multiple interceptions in one game since Henry Williams in 1979, allowed only two receptions for 16 yards on six targets and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“It’s been a huge part to the first part of the season, these victories, these team victories,” coach Klint Kubiak said about the pass rush. “They have the attention of the other side of the ball. We just got to keep working to get better, and every week is a whole new game.”
Crosby remains the centerpiece because his relentless motor and reputation command extra attention. But these Raiders are no longer asking him to manufacture every disruptive play. Paye’s arrival, Leonard’s scheme and contributions throughout the front have given Las Vegas something it has lacked in recent seasons: a pass rush capable of attacking in waves.
Two games represent a small sample, and an upcoming road game against the New Orleans Saints will provide another test. But eight sacks and a strong pressure rate provide tangible evidence. The Raiders are unbeaten in part because their defense is dictating terms without sending extra defenders to create pressure.
“We play a certain style of play that we want to play, and that’s the standard and what we do, and how we approach everything — an elite standard of dominance,” Crosby said. “That’s what’s translated so far, but it hasn’t been our best. We know there’s a lot of room to improve, and we got a lot of football to play.”
Tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and cornerback Darien Porter (foot) both practiced Wednesday. Kubiak gave no indication whether either would play Sunday in New Orleans.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts to a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) fumbles as he is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after a win over the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive end Kwity Paye (95) shake hands after a defensive stop during the first half an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)
