Chelsea dangle company to overcome Actual Madrid in nervy five-goal combat

Sonia Bompastor used to be made to sweat for her maiden UEFA Girls’s Champions League victory as Chelsea boss, with the Girls’s Tremendous League aspect profitable 3-2 towards Actual Madrid at a sodden Stamford Bridge.

Bompastor, who two times received the UWCL trophy as a participant ahead of main Lyon to Eu glory as supervisor in 2021, endured her highest get started as Chelsea boss with a 3rd consecutive win.

Sjoeke Nusken kicked off the scoring ahead of Guro Reiten netted a penalty to ascertain a two-goal cushion. Alba Redondo pegged Chelsea again ahead of half-time, however Mayra Ramirez used to be available to revive the cozy lead in a while after the spoil.

Actual replace Linda Caicedo compelled a grand-stand end, tapping house six mins from time to chop Chelsea’s lead again to the solitary target, however The Blues hung on to make sure a profitable begin to their Eu endeavour.

Chelsea, who simplest named seven substitutes because of numerous key absences, needed to maintain the past due withdrawal of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, with DAZN mentioning sickness for the goalkeeper forward of the tournament – however didn’t let the turbulent build-up disrupt their drift as they took the lead inside of two mins.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd labored a big pocket of area at the proper, ahead of flashing an impossible to resist ball into the field that used to be became in by way of Nusken, helped by way of the top of Actual defender Sheila Garcia.

Reiten netted from the spot on 27 mins after Lucy Bronze used to be hauled down within the house, however the hosts’ lead used to be lower in 1/2 six mins ahead of the spoil when Redondo discovered time and area to ultimately squirm an effort below Zecira Musovic.

And Ramirez put Chelsea one step nearer to victory 8 mins after the period, looping a headed effort over Misa from Lauren James’ impressive move.

Replace Caicedo tapped house six mins from time to make for a nervy end, however Bompastor’s aspect held directly to take all 3 issues.

A large number of communicate round Bompastor’s succession of former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes revolved round whether or not she may just convey the elusive Girls’ Champions League trophy to west London, a feat no longer completed by way of their earlier mythical supervisor.

And whilst the ex-Lyon boss would have preferred a extra relaxed night at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, Chelsea’s combating qualities had been firmly on display as they held company regardless of numerous key absences to the squad.

Sam Kerr, Sophie Ingle, Niamh Charles and Mia Fishel are long-term absentees for Bompastor’s aspect, whilst Kadeisha Buchanan used to be lacking thru suspension towards Actual. Moreover, Erin Cuthbert and Catarina Macario had been out of the squad for the UWCL opener, whilst goalkeeper Hampton used to be changed by way of Musovic forward of kick-off after being “taken sick” – consistent with DAZN.

Chopping out the defensive errors for Actual’s two targets is a will have to for Bompastor, however bearing in mind the reported illness trojan horse within the Chelsea camp, along side some tough stipulations thru a heavy downpour within the first 1/2, the hosts’ combating spirit used to be commendable.

The facility to grind out a win is a high quality you’re feeling Chelsea will want to show if they’re to wreck their UWCL duct. They now have a supervisor who has been there and performed it (two times as a participant, as soon as as a supervisor), may just this be their yr for Eu glory?

Nusken used to be formally credited with the outlet target, glancing a header in opposition to the a ways nook ahead of Garcia helped it into the web with a header of her personal. The midfielder’s instinctual presence within the field to get at the finish of Kaneryd’s move used to be spectacular, and he or she displayed commanding qualities within the centre of the park all the way through the night.

Nusken, now in her 2nd season on the WSL membership, has loved a cast begin to the 2024/25 marketing campaign and used to be a livewire within the Chelsea midfield as – regardless of conceding two sloppy targets – they in large part managed the sport towards their Liga F opposition.

Chelsea: Musovic 6, Bronze 7, Shiny 6, Bjorn 6, Bompastor 6, Kaptein 6, Nusken 8*, James 7, Kaneryd 7, Ramirez 7, Reiten 7.Subs: Beever-Jones 5, Hamano 5, Jean-Francois 5, Lawrence 5, Mpome 5.

Actual Madrid: Misa 4, Garcia 4, Lakrar 5, Mendez 6, Carmona 7, Abelleira Duenas 6, Angeldal 5, Leupolz 6, Del Castillo 5, Weir 6, Redondo 7. Subs: Caicedo 6, Feller 5, Navarro 6, Hernandez 5, Moller 5.

2′ GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 REAL MADRID (NUSKEN) Wow! Chelsea make a remark of intent and the ball is at the back of the web inside of two mins. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd discovered acres of area down the fitting, and lower in onto her left foot ahead of handing over a peach of a move. Sheila Garcia tries to maintain it, however can simplest head into the a ways nook of her personal web after Sjoeke Nusken glances one in opposition to the a ways nook as Bompastor’s aspect get off the mark in Europe.

5′ CHELSEA GOALKEEPER SWITCH The hosts’ thumping get started slightly gave me an opportunity to replace you on their pre-match transfer in target, as Hannah Hampton pulled up within the warm-up and is changed by way of Zecira Musovic.

27′ GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 REAL MADRID (REITEN) The No. 11 slots it away properly and Chelsea double their lead! Misa guesses appropriately, right down to her low proper, however Reiten’s strike is simply too just right and slips properly into the ground nook. Bompastor’s aspect firmly in keep watch over.

39′ GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 REAL MADRID (REDONDO) A smart move from the guests and they have got one again ahead of the spoil! Bronze shall we her guard down as Carmona will get the simpler of the previous Barca defender down the left flank. Del Castillo has a pop however sees her effort blocked, the ball ricochets in opposition to Garcia who tries to form an effort however once more sees it blocked by way of a staunch Chelsea back-line. The hosts are helpless to the ricochet as soon as once more, and this time Redondo unearths the gap to squeeze an effort below Musovic and halve the deficit. Sport on!

53′ GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 REAL MADRID (RAMIREZ) Are Chelsea out of sight? Ramirez takes the dignity with the header, however the magic used to be within the boots of Lauren James who set it up with an incredible move. James took purpose ahead of whipping in a lovely ball, completely positioned onto the top of Ramirez, who looped an effort over Misa to revive the two-goal cushion. There might be some questions over the goalkeeping there, the trajectory of the header gave the impression to take the Actual shot-stopper by way of suprise. Ramirez may not thoughts!

84′ GOAL! CHELSEA 3-2 REAL MADRID (CAICEDO) Wow, a easy Chelsea victory gave the impression the foregone conclusion with the hosts taking a look relaxed, however Actual have simply arrange a grand-stand end at Stamford Bridge. Weir orchestrated the assault, spraying it out to Navarro, whose effort used to be blocked at the line by way of Bronze. Alternatively, Caicedo used to be there to mop up the aftermath. Sport on, as soon as once more!