Varsity 2026: UCL's Men and Women Football Teams Triumph
Image Credits: galagepics via Instagram
UCL captain Aidan McAvoy scored a late goal to wrap up a tense 1-0 win for UCLFC, after UCLWFC completed a 4-1 demolition of their opposition in the 2026 varsity derby.
Tension between the clubs had been building throughout the season, with both UCL teams beating out their KCL counterparts to the London University league titles, and the Women’s beating them in the final of the cup as well. It was therefore a dream start when Irene Martinez scored a wonderous free kick off the right in the first 5 minutes, very much supporting the run of play.
Martinez could have gotten a second soon after when her shot was cleared off the line after a good delivery from a corner by Lois Robson to create the chance, with UCL knocking on the door at every opportunity.
KCLWFC did hit back when Leila Treacher brought down Minea Mannerkivi in the box and Tatum Coe stepped up to slot the subsequent penalty home and bring the score to 1-1 after 21 minutes.
From there, however, the game only ever went in one direction. Noemie Ng-Triquet had a header from a corner well saved but 5 minutes into the second half, Saige Rovero was able to tap home from a mistake by the keeper to give UCL the lead.
At this point, UCL were firmly in control of the game, and a long ball was latched onto by Lillian Brown to make it 3-1 before Nadiya Kobayashi scored just before full time to round off a thorough victory.
With the stands filled for the second game of the evening, the Men’s game kicked off, proving to be a far closer affair: 0-0 at half-time and the game balanced on a knife edge.
Chances had been presented to both teams, with Thomas Beber played through for UCL but kept out by a last-ditch sliding challenge from Leo Holby. At the other end, Moyo Lawani did well to create an opening, but the KCL forward only managed to see his shot out for a corner. Oliver Head also had an opportunity for King’s, dragging a difficult half-volley wide of the post.
Neither side had many clear-cut chances in the second half, and it was an all-round cagey affair for both sides. UCL’s Romeo Mimouni was a particular highlight on the wing, however, with a penchant for Cruyff turns as he tried to create a winner but his shot from the left was a soft one and easily smothered by Nikolai Manchev in goal.
In the end, it was UCL who finally found the breakthrough, a superb switch of play finding fullback Mian Osman Khan who picked out a cross that skipper Aidan McAvoy only needed to guide into an open net.
Nick Lambert had an opportunity just minutes later to put the game to bed, but his shot from the edge of the box was well saved and KCL continued to hold hope that was ultimately futile as the final whistle blew soon after, to the ecstatic roar of the UCL faithful.
The wins mark the 8th Varsity victory in a row for UCLFC, and the 3rd in a row for UCLWFC, securing yet another Varsity series triumph, and ensuring London’s colours remain undeniably purple.