Wuhan Jiangda edge Melbourne City to win first AFC Women's Champions League title

Wuhan Jiangda etched their name in the annals of history by claiming the inaugural Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League title in dramatic fashion, defeating Australia's Melbourne City 5-4 on penalty kicks after a tense 1-1 draw in the final in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, on Saturday.

In the 76th minute, Leticia McKenna's free kick found Shelby McMahon for a header that gave Melbourne the lead.

In the 94th minute, Wuhan fired a long ball into the box that was headed on before deflecting off a Melbourne player, and into the hands of goalkeeper Malena Mieres. Wuhan's players argued with the referee for a handball and Wang Shuang was shown a yellow card.

After a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check, the official ruled that Melbourne's Mariana Speckmaier had hit the ball with her arm, and awarded a penalty kick to Wuhan. Wang converted to equalize for the hosts.

Neither side scored again and the match went to a shootout. Both teams made their first four kicks from the spot, with Zhao Yuxin sending her effort into the top corner to put Wuhan ahead 5-4.

Goalkeeper Chen Chen then saved Rebekah Stott's shot to seal the title for Wuhan. The hosts earned a trophy and $1 million in prize money, while also qualifying for the 2026 FIFA Women's Champions Cup.