Charlton Athletic promoted to WSL after defeating Leicester City on penalties | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic have been promoted to the Barclays Women’s Super League after defeating Leicester City 2-1 on penalties at The Valley this afternoon.

Neither side could find a winning goal in 120 minutes of football. In the end, Charlton Athletic won the penalty shootout to gain promotion to the top tier and send Leicester City down to Barclays WSL2.

The first half was an even affair that produced few meaningful chances. Lucy Fitzgerald and Emma Bissell fired shots wide for Charlton Athletic while Sophie Whitehouse pulled off an excellent save to deny Shannon O’Brien at the other end.

Charlton Athletic started the second half strongly but they failed to take advantage of back-to-back corners. With so much on the line, both sides struggled to get a grip on the game.

In the final 10 minutes, Sam Tierney tried her luck for Leicester City but her shot went wide of goal. Ashleigh Neville then headed straight at Whitehouse in stoppage time.

In the additional 30 minutes, Katie Lockwood hit the woodwork for the hosts while Whitehouse again saved well as she denied Heather Payne.

In the end, Charlton Athletic won the tie with a 2-1 success on spot kicks.

Charlton Athletic will play Barclays Women’s Super League football for the first time in 2026/2027.