# Luvanga’s winner sends Washington Spirit into third straight NWSL final

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/clara-luvanga-strikes-as-washington-spirit-beat-utah-to-reach-third-straight-nwsl-final/
- Published: 2026-11-14T20:33:50+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T20:47:22+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/14/washington-spirit-utah-royals-nwsl-semi-final-clara-luvanga
- Topics: Football, Sport

## Key points

- Washington beat Utah 2-1 to reach a third straight final.
- Clara Luvanga scored the winner in the 57th minute.
- The Spirit will play Gotham or Kansas City for the title.

## Summary

Washington Spirit beat Utah Royals 2-1 to reach a third consecutive NWSL Championship final, with Clara Luvanga scoring the second-half winner. The result sends Washington to its fifth final and gives the club a chance to win a second title at its home ground.

Utah took the lead in the second minute through Cloé Lacasse, the fastest goal in NWSL playoff history. Sofia Cantore equalised in the eighth minute after Luvanga helped create the chance, then Luvanga scored in the 57th minute after intercepting a misplaced pass. Washington will face either Gotham FC or Kansas City Current; a meeting with Gotham would be a rematch of the 2025 final.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.