Lyon rebound, records tumble Down Under - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Lyon rebound, records tumble Down Under - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

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It might be mid-winter in Europe, but France’s 14-time champions Lyon found a way to turn on the style to regain a share of top spot. There was also similar good form displayed by the leaders in Spain and Portugal who continue to be engaged in tight championship battles. Meanwhile in Australia, the mid-summer heat did little to quell the action, with a glut of goals resulting in several records falling. FIFA.com reviews all the recent women’s football club action.

Australia: Records tumble amid goal-rush It was a record-breaking round in the W-League, where 26 goals were scored in the four Round 12 games and only one of the top-five teams managed a win. The most astonishing scoreline was a club record 10-2 win for Adelaide United over Western Sydney Wanderers which, incredibly, was their first victory of the campaign. There was another club record win for Canberra United, who saw off in-form Perth Glory 7-2, with Ash Sykes scoring four. That result allowed Canberra to move within touching distance of leaders Sydney FC, who had the weekend off. There was another sensation in Melbourne, where the Victory recorded a 2-0 derby win over City. Having gone 18 matches undefeated, City have now found themselves on an equally remarkable winless run of six matches. 
Top three: Sydney FC (22 points), Canberra United, Perth Glory (both 20)

France: Champs prove their resilience 
Lyon showed no ill-effects from the holiday break, nor from their rare loss against Paris Saint-Germain in the final match of 2016, as they eased to a 3-0 away win over fifth-placed Guingamp. PSG, conversely, failed to build on their much-celebrated win just before Christmas as the Parisians fell to a 2-1 defeat at Montpellier. Star forward Sofia Jakobsson scored a second-half equaliser for Montpellier before fellow Swede Stina Blackstenius netted the winner on her league debut for the club. The result left the trio locked together on points at the top of the standings. Juvisy remain a distant fourth. 
Top three: Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, Montpellier (all 30)

Spain: Frontrunners go stride for stride It was a case of as you were for the two frontrunners in Spain after the weekend round. Leaders Atletico Madrid and second-placed Barcelona secured 3-0 wins over Rayo Vallecano and Granadilla Tenerife Sur respectively. Champions Athletic Bilbao continued their freefall with a 3-1 loss at Albacete, leaving them 15 points off the pace. 
Top three: Atletico Madrid (42), Barcelona (41), Levante (35)

Portugal: Contrasting wins and derby delight Leaders Sporting won the Lisbon derby over champions CF Benfica, but it is Sporting Braga who remain the nearest challengers, with both hunting a maiden title. Sporting edged a 3-2 win over the local rivals, with the victory based around a double from Solange Carvalhas. Braga remain in hot pursuit after the eased to a 7-0 win over Ouriense. CF Benfica’s loss saw them tipped out of third by Valadares Gaia. 
Top three: Sporting (38), Sporting Braga (37), Valadares Gaia (29)