UEFA Women’s Champions League nights were back under the lights at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea hosted Real Madrid on matchday one of the European competition. Sonia Bompastor’s Blues were able to hold-off a late surge from the visitors, as goals from Guro Reiten, Mayra Ramírez, and an unfortunate own-goal from Sheila García, were enough to see Chelsea over the line in West London.
A late change came for the hosts, as Zecira Musovic started between the goalposts for Chelsea despite Hannah Hampton being named on the teamsheet.
The Lineups
CHE: Musovic; Bronze, Bright, Björn, Baltimore, Nüsken, James, Kaptein, Rytting Kaneryd, Reiten, Ramírez
RMA: Misa; García, Lakrar, Mendez, Carmona, Teresa, Angeldal, Leupolz, Athenea, Redondo, Weir
The Actions
It would take just two minutes for Bompastor’s Blues to take the lead in West London, as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s fast footwork saw her weave past Athenea with ease before sending a hopeful cross into the area. In a failed attempt to clear the ball away, Sheila García’s header would sail past Misa and into the bottom corner for an own-goal.
Chelsea were given the opportunity to double their advantage in the 26th minute, as a clutter of limbs resulted in a high-boot from Maëlle Lakrar on Sjoeke Nüsken, as referee Ivana Martinčić pointed to the spot to award the Blues a penalty kick. Guro Reiten made no mistake from the spot, slotting home her strike into the bottom-left corner with composure to give Chelsea their second of the evening.
Real Madrid would get one back in the 38th minute, as Chelsea failed to clear the play away from danger inside of the 18-yard box. Alba Redondo would capitalise on the scraps, sending her strike through the legs of a scrambling Musovic and into the back of the net.
The high-scoring first half would close out at 2-1, as Las Blancas searched for an equaliser in the closing moments of the opening term as Alberto Toril’s side began to press high on the Chelsea defence.
Chelsea would come out after the half-time interval with clear intent, as Lauren James floated a brilliant cross across-goal towards Mayra Ramírez within close striking range. The Colombian striker would catch Misa off her line, as her header lobbed the Real Madrid keeper and floated into the back of the net.
Real Madrid would be eager to get one back as the fixture ran into its final 20 minutes, as Linda Caicedo streamed forward on the counter attack. Despite beating Maika Hamano for speed, Ashley Lawrence’s intervention would be enough to clear Caicedo’s strike away from danger.
Las Blancas managed to scrape one back in the 83rd minute, as Caicedo pounced on the scraps of a failed clearance from Lucy Bronze on the goal-line before tapping in her strike to halve the deficit with 10 minutes of regular time remaining.
A free kick from Caroline Weir in the wide area created another strong chance for the visitors, as her floating cross was met by the head of Lakrar in the air. Despite making strong contact, the Real Madrid defender would be denied by Musovic who caught the attempt without much trouble.
Despite a late surge of energy from Las Blancas, Chelsea were able to maintain their lead right up until the final whistle at Stamford Bridge.
