Real Madrid vs Chelsea LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and reaction as Blues draw in Spain
Real Madrid 2-2 Chelsea: Emma Hayes’ team kicked off their European campaign with a draw against the Spanish heavyweights
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea opened their Women’s Champions League campaign with a draw against Real Madrid in a contest they will believe should have been won. The Blues started as the more aggressive side but went behind in the 10th minute as Olga Carmona’s deflected effort beat Ann-Katrin Berger with the hosts’ first shot of the game.
Emma Hayes’ side responded beautifully. The upped the tempo, controlled possession and equalised just before the break through Niamh Charles’ header. As the second half began Real Madrid played higher up the pitch and occassionally piled the pressure on Chelsea’s defence.
The next breakthrough came at the other end of the pitch though as Charles lofted a cross into the box for Sam Kerr to bullet head into the back of the net. Minutes later, Athenea del Castillo was brought down by Jessie Fleming and dove into the box convincing the referee to award a penalty which Carmona smoked home to make it 2-2.
A final touch of drama arrived in the last minute of stoppage time as Charles swept the ball into the net only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Relive the action from the Women’s Champions League plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
54 mins: Chance! After Real push up the pitch, once again challenging the Chelsea back line, the Blues burst forward on the counter.
Fran Kirby brings the ball to the edge of the box then squares it across to Jessie Fleming. Fleming draws out a defender before knocking it back to Kirby who shoots and sees her effort blocked by Ivana Andres.
Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
57 mins: Linda Caicedo vs Ashley Lawrence has been a decent battle. The fisr half belonged to the Chelsea defender but Caicedo is seeing a bit of success through these opening stages of the second 45 minutes.
Lawrence gives away a free kick but Real Madrid fail to make it count and Chelsea recover possession.
Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
60 mins: Real Madrid look to the bench first and bring Maite Oroz onto the pitch to replace Zornoza Sanchez. Will that substitution bring them more control in the middle of the pitch?
Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
63 mins: Here comes Lauren James. One of Chelsea’s star performers is introduced into the game with the Blues needing a goal. Fran Kirby is taken off by Emma Hayes.
Chelsea win a throw in high up the pitch and James’ first involvement is to give away a free kick after the ball bounces up and strikes her hand.
Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
66 mins: Close! Real Madrid run into space on the left side of the pitch and whip a cross into the box. It drops nicely for Athenea del Castillo who pings a left-footed shot at goal.
Niamh Charles gets in the way and makes the block turning the ball behind for a corner.
Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
69 mins: Lauren James chips a nice cross into the middle of the box but doesn’t have the runners to get on the end of the pass. Instead the ball bounces through to Misa Rodriguez who clings onto it.
A touch over 20 minutes to play. Real Madrid have done a strong job of nullifying Chelsea’s attack in this half.
Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
72 mins: Jessie Fleming looks a little frustrated as she lifts a good ball into the middle of the box. Sam Kerr is the target but the goalkeeper is sharply off her line to punch the ball away.
The offside flag then goes up against Kerr and Real Madrid are given a free kick.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea (Kerr, 74’)⚽️
74 mins: There it is!
Niamh Charles is given the ball out wide and brings it forward before a sharp one-two into takes her to the edge of the box. She drives to byline then flicks the ball over to the far post.
Sam Kerr leaps at the ball, hangs in the air then powers her headed effort into the back of the net!
Penalty to Real Madrid!
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
77 mins: Emma Hayes was smiling. Not so much now. Jessie Fleming lunges into a challenge on Athenea del Castillo and clips the midfielder’s legs.
Del Castillo goes down in the box and the hosts win a spot kick.
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