Chelsea progress as group winners in Women's Champions League
Real Madrid 1 - 2 Chelsea
Substitute Catarina Macario scored twice from the spot as Chelsea overturned a deficit to defeat Real Madrid and secure their place in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals as Group B winners.
Real Madrid appeared poised to claim top spot after Scotland forward Caroline Weir’s early strike, which deflected off Lucy Bronze, found its way past Hannah Hampton despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it.
Facing her first potential loss since taking charge of the Blues in the summer, Sonia Bompastor made a decisive half-time substitution, bringing on US international Catarina Macario for the ineffective Mayra Ramirez.
Macario made an immediate impact. After seeing one effort ruled out for offside and narrowly missing the target with another, she earned and converted her first penalty in the 51st minute after being brought down by Olga Carmona.
Carmona, who famously scored the winner in Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, then conceded a second penalty after handling Wieke Kaptein’s flick.
Macario confidently dispatched her second spot-kick, firing high into the right corner, as Chelsea completed a perfect Group B campaign with six wins from six.
A great night for Chelsea's Women!https://t.co/Mu4Cn3x6Z9 https://t.co/dv5BEIEJvC
— European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) December 18, 2024
Far from perfect Chelsea still win
The squad has lots of talent, but they are still working to establish a strong identity under manager Sonia Bompastor. She acknowledged their skill should have secured a win against Leicester City last weekend. The team came close, as they could have left King Power Stadium with a significant victory if they had been a bit luckier in front of goal.
However, talent alone is not always enough. The team needs better tactics and additional support for a group of exceptionally talented players who are feeling the strain of a demanding season, during which they've put forth tremendous effort to compete both domestically and internationally.
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The challenge was evident in the first half against Real Madrid, who demonstrated their effectiveness as a well-drilled team. Those in blue still got the job done though.
Overall though, and with Chelsea still to go up a level, the other sides across Europe and beyond will be very worried. Can they finish the season with domestic and continental success?
Macario has an instant impact
Macario, brought on as a half-time substitute, had the ball in the net within the first minute of the second half. However, the goal was ruled out as she was flagged offside when the pass was threaded through to her in the box.
Shortly after, Cuthbert played another precise through ball to Macario, who timed her run perfectly this time. Her effort appeared to be pushed wide by goalkeeper Misa, but the referee decided the shot had skimmed just past the post and awarded a goal-kick.
The American forward continued to make her presence felt, winning a penalty moments later. Stepping up to take it herself, she confidently converted, drawing the Blues level in the 51st minute.
