Chelsea Women into another Champions League Knockout stage.
After narrowly and luckily beating the Real Madrid Women's team at Stamford Bridge, winning it on their own goal, there is some karma for the penalty not given in the reverse fixture in Madrid late last year. This was full of controversy, with a goal ruled out and a controversial penalty given to Madrid, causing anger from Blues fans and leaving the teams on level playing fields in their meetings this season. This game ultimately impacted the Blues, as if they won it, they would automatically qualify for the next round with a game to play in Paris. Plus, they were under the stadium lights of Stamford Bridge for the second time in less than a week, with an impressive following in the stands. In eight minutes, all three goals from the game were scored.
Guro Reiten from the spot, there was never in doubt. The penalty was given for a foul in the box on Niamh Charles for Matilda and former Manchester City winger Haley Raso.
However, an unfortunate event preceded when Hannah Hampton saved an immediate Raso strike but was not collected in her arms. She went back out into the box for Athenea del Castillo to score on the rebound from close range; ultimately, Hampton could have done very little to stop that going in.
But that was not the end of the eight-minute madness as just a minute later Chelsea, still on the hunt for the winning goal, was restored by Erin Cuthbert ( the captain for the game) with a cutback that deflected into the goal by the Madrid Keeper Mylene Chavas.
This own goal was crucial as the previous group game between BK Hacken and Paris FC was left in a draw. As Chelsea beat Real Madrid, they were automatically qualified for the next round.
It can be seen that Chelsea is less consistent than in previous seasons, with the loss of Millie Bright holding the defence or Sam Kerr recently in her goal-scoring threat. They have lacked ruthlessness and have forced them to win by minor margins and no clean sheets. This is likely from fatigue after playing Manchester United on Sunday and the quick turnaround with two crucial games in their own right. This was argued by Hayes, saying the game was “boring” due to the gruelling schedule as they are the only WSL team in all major competitions and the Champions League. With limited preparation between the games, it would be hard not to be constantly on the attack but to manage the game and bring on game-changing players.
The game, however, could have looked very different if Caicedo's young talent had not gotten injured and had to be substituted, as, in the second half, Real Madrid ultimately needed to gain the threat she brought. Alberto Toril suggested the injury was minor, and they did not want to risk further damage with essential games to come. They also spoke about the penalty and their uncertainty about how it should be given—however, the vision of the incident needed to be more evident.
Team line up
CHELSEA
- Hampton
- Lawrence
- Buchanan
- Carter
- Charles
- Leupolz
- Cuthbert
- Rytting Kaneryd
- Kirby
- Reiten
- Fishel
SUBS USED
- Beever-Jones
- Nusken
- James
SUBSTITUTES
- Musovic
- Ingle
- Perisset
- Mjelde
- Cankovic
Formation 4-2-3-1
Real Madrid
- Chavas
- Robles
- Andres
- Sousa Feitoza
- Svava
- Abelleria
- Zornoza
- Raso
- Caicedo
- Oroz
- Moller
SUBS USED
- Rodriguez
- Olofsson
- Del Castillo
- Hernandez
- Feller
SUBSTITUTES
- Lopez
- Alonso
- Comendador
The referee gave no cards.
MATCH STATS
Possession
- Chelsea 60%
- Real Madrid 40%
Shots
- Chelsea 16
- Real Madrid 12
Shots on target
- Chelsea 10
- Real Madrid 6
Corners
- Chelsea 9
- Real Madrid 4
Fouls-
- Both with 4
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