Wuhan Jiangda beats Melbourne City to win inaugural AFC Women's Champions League title

Team members of Wuhan Jiangda Women's FC celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the final between Wuhan Jiangda Women's FC of China and Melbourne City FC of Australia at the 2024/2025 AFC Women's Champions League in Wuhan, China, May 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Wuhan Jiangda etched their name in history by claiming the inaugural AFC Women's Champions League title in dramatic fashion, defeating Australia's Melbourne City 5-4 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw in the final on Saturday.

Melbourne City broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when Shelby McMahon headed home from a free-kick. Wuhan Jiangda appeared to be heading for defeat until deep into stoppage time, when the Chinese side was awarded a penalty in the 95th minute. Star midfielder Wang Shuang calmly stepped up and converted from the spot to level the score and send the match into extra time.

Neither side managed to find a breakthrough during the extra 30 minutes, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. And Wuhan held their composure to prevail 5-4.

Wuhan's path to the final was anything but easy. In the quarterfinals, Wuhan edged past tournament favorites Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in a penalty shootout. Then it defeated Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City FC in the semifinals.