Roma Women, home to Nigerian duo Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo, have booked their place in the 2025–26 UEFA Women’s Champions League after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Portuguese side Sporting CP in Lisbon on Thursday, Bold Sports reports.
The Italian side went into the second leg clash trailing 2-1 on aggregate after late strikes from Florencia Bonsegundo and Telma Encarnacao handed Sporting the advantage in Rome. But Luca Rossettini’s side showed grit and resilience to overturn the deficit in style.
Sporting defender Ashley Barron gifted Roma the opener with an own goal on the stroke of half-time, before substitute Valentina Bergamaschi made an immediate impact, scoring just two minutes after coming on to seal a 3-2 aggregate triumph for the visitors.
“The girls were extraordinary, they put in an incredible performance, and across both matches, they showed they wanted to win,”Roma head coach Rossettini said post-match. “Being part of the competition was our goal, and I have to give the girls a huge compliment. Today, they put in a sensational performance with desire and courage. We’re in, and that’s the greatest satisfaction.”
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Roma now join Vålerenga, SKN St. Pölten, Atletico Madrid, FC Twente, Paris FC, Manchester United, Oud-Heverlee Leuven and Real Madrid in the league phase of Europe’s elite competition, with the draw scheduled for Friday.
For the Nigerian contingent, Babajide started and featured for 60 minutes before being substituted, while Oladipo remained on the bench. Babajide has been in fine form for the Giallorosse, netting in their 3-0 quarterfinal win over Sassuolo in the Serie A Women’s Cup, and will look to carry that momentum into the semifinals against Lazio.
Rossettini spoke on the team’s preparations for the cup game: “We’ll think about the semifinal starting tomorrow. Now we’ll enjoy this achievement. It hasn’t been easy, but the girls gave their best in every training session. From tomorrow, we’ll prepare for the next target.”
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