Wolfsburg Edge Closer to Champions League Semi-Finals Despite Alexandra Popp Injury
VfL Wolfsburg secured a 1-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie on March 25, 2026, despite playing without key striker Alexandra Popp. The win ended a seven-match losing streak against the French champions.
Popp’s Injury and Hopeful Outlook
Alexandra Popp, who is set to join Borussia Dortmund after 14 years with Wolfsburg, watched from the sidelines due to injury. However, the victory has rekindled her hope of potentially featuring in the competition later in the tournament. She was seen embracing teammate Svenja Huth following the match.
Match Details and Key Moments
Lineth Beerensteyn scored the decisive goal for Wolfsburg in the 14th minute, although the goal involved a deflection. Wolfsburg’s defense proved resilient, withstanding pressure from Lyon, who featured former Wolfsburg player Jule Brand.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
Despite the positive result, Wolfsburg coach Stephan Lerch emphasized that the first leg was just the first step. The return leg will be played in Lyon on April 2nd, and Lerch anticipates a challenging match against the record Champions League winners. He stated his team will “endeavor to play with courage” in Lyon.
Popp’s Career Highlights
Alexandra Popp has been a pivotal figure for both Wolfsburg and the German national team. She has made 219 appearances for Wolfsburg, scoring 112 goals as of September 14, 2024. She has also represented Germany 145 times, scoring 67 goals. Popp captained the German national team from 2019 to 2024 and has been named German Footballer of the Year three times (2014, 2016, and 2023). She was part of the German teams that won Olympic medals in 2016 and 2024, and competed in the UEFA Women’s Championship in 2022 and the UEFA Women’s Nations League in 2024.