Chelsea Women progress in Women's Champions League
Chelsea Women 3 - 0 Celtic Women
Chelsea secured their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare after a commanding 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Goals from Lucy Bronze, Wieke Kaptein, and Ève Périsset sealed the win for last season’s semi-finalists, marking their 11th consecutive win.
Chelsea have enjoyed a dream start to the campaign, boasting a flawless record across all competitions. They currently sit top of both the WSL and Champions League Group B. After the match, manager Sonia Bompastor expressed her delight at the team’s early qualification, which alleviates some of the pressure ahead of the winter break.
Chelsea overcame an early scare in their 2-1 win at Celtic Park last week, but they ensured there were no repeats this time. From the outset, the WSL champions showed they had learned their lesson, starting with a bang at Stamford Bridge.
Just 65 seconds in, Lucy Bronze unleashed an instinctive volley past Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty, giving Chelsea the perfect start. The goal added another milestone for the England international, who has now scored for four different teams in the Women’s Champions League.
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That early strike set the tone, with Chelsea dominating proceedings. The partnership between Bronze and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd down the right flank proved particularly effective, though the hosts struggled to find the finishing touch. A mix of misfired attempts and determined Celtic defending left manager Sonia Bompastor visibly frustrated on the sidelines.
The second goal always felt inevitable, and it arrived in style. Wieke Kaptein’s looping header from a well-worked corner doubled Chelsea’s lead before half-time, putting them firmly in control and edging them closer to the quarter-finals.
Celtic’s hopes of a comeback were further dented by the introduction of Mayra RamÃrez after the break. The substitute immediately caused problems for the weary visitors, and the arrival of Erin Cuthbert, a former Rangers player was greeted by boos from the away fans.
✅ Great performance.
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) November 21, 2024
✅ Three goals.
✅ Clean sheet.
Manager Sonia Bompastor was delighted with last night’s win over Celtic! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tKNPofDe95
Bompastor, known for nurturing young talent, provided a special moment for 17-year-old Lola Brown. Making her Champions League and senior debut with just five minutes remaining, the Chelsea academy graduate capped a memorable week, having signed her first professional contract days earlier.
Chelsea rounded off the evening in style when Ève Périsset converted a late penalty, sealing a comfortable 3-0 victory. The result ensured their progression to the knockout stages, much to the delight of the home crowd. For Celtic, however, the match marked the end of their first-ever group-stage journey in the competition. Despite the defeat, they return home having gained valuable experience on Europe’s biggest stage.
