If her stunning strike against Charlton Athletic was anything to go by, Leila Wandeler is going to thrill West Ham United women’s team supporters during her career in Claret and Blue.
The teenager got the travelling supporters off their seats at The Valley with a truly special goal in Wednesday’s 5-1 Subway® Women’s League Cup Group C win in south London, nutmegging her marker before curling an unstoppable 25-yard shot into the top right-hand corner of the Charlton net.
It was just the second senior goal of the 19-year-old’s career – her first was for OL Lyonnes against Nantes in France’s Première Ligue in April – and one she will surely never forget.
What is more, it was the third of five on a night when Wandeler and her new teammates secured a welcome first competitive victory of the 2025/26 season, providing them with a big confidence boost ahead of the visit of Women’s Super League champions Chelsea to Dagenham on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m feeling very, very good!” beamed the Switzerland international. “I think it was a tough time for the team the past weeks, and we knew that we just had to work harder today so that’s what we did and I’m very proud of the team.
“I mean, of course, it was a crazy goal! I’m very happy for that. I just tried to go one versus one and I saw that my defender was getting a little bit more tired at the end, so I had more chances to face her. And then when I went past her, there were not really any players in front of me so I just thought ‘try to shoot the ball’. It was perfect then, so I’m very happy!
“The netmeg is my favourite part [of the goal]!. I’m very happy but I hope the fans won’t get disappointed after this because I don’t know how to do better!”
Incredibly, there was still some debate over whether Wandeler’s goal was the outstanding West Ham strike of the night, as it came just 16 minutes after winger Manuela Paví had launched her own Goal of the Season contender from way outside the Charlton penalty area.
So, in the No27’s opinion, whose was better?
“I mean, it’s questionable because Paví was far from the goal, like very far and she was just like, ‘OK, I just shoot the ball’ and it was powerful, so her goal was crazy to me!” she said, diplomatically.
Each of the Hammers’ five goals were met with big celebrations, and Wandeler says the reactions were an illustration of how strong the spirit is within Rehanne Skinner’s squad ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Chelsea.
“We were all happy for the team,” she confirmed. “We had to work together for this, so every single person who scored, we were just running to the players because we were just happy together.
“We knew also that Charton was also a good team, even if they play second division (WSL Championship), so we were really excited for this chance.
“And for some players who don’t have the chance all the time in the WSL games, they just want to give their best, so that’s why we were all even more excited.
“We’re really excited [for Chelsea] and we’re going to work harder for it.”
