Chelsea came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 and top their Women’s Champions League group with a 100 per cent record.
Two second-half Catarina Macario penalties were enough to give the WSL leaders the win in the Spanish capital.
Like in their draw against Leicester in the WSL on Saturday, the Blues needed to come from behind to secure their place as Group B winners. Real Madrid knew anything but a win would see them finish in second place.
The hosts made a perfect start too when Hannah Hampton – making her first Champions League appearance of the season – failed to deal with Caroline Weir’s shot (8). The ball bounced behind her and over the line after a weak attempt to bat it away.
Both sides could have scored the next goal in the first half – Guro Reiten forcing a fine stop from Misa Rodriguez, while Olga Carmona dragged a shot just wide.
Caroline Weir opened the scoring for Real Madrid
The Real Madrid captain had a nightmare start to the second period, giving away two penalties inside the first 10 minutes that ultimately decided the contest.
The first saw Carmona trip half-time substitute Macario, who took the spot kick. She sent it high into the net (51), sending Rodriguez the wrong way.
Chelsea’s Catarina Macario scores a goal from penalty spot
Minutes later, Carmona was penalised for a harsh handball, and with no VAR in women’s club football, the decision could not be reviewed. Macario scored in an almost identical manner to see Chelsea ahead (56).
Despite Real Madrid’s plethora of chances – the best coming from Naomie Feller as she flashed an effort past the far post – they were unable to find the goals needed to leapfrog the Blues.
Catarina Macario has now scored three Champions League goals for Chelsea this season
They finish second in Group B on 12 points. Chelsea meanwhile collect the full 18 points from their group campaign and sign off 2024 with victory.
Bompastor: Macario a world-class player
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor to UEFA.com:
“We were not very happy with our performance in the first half. We all sat down together at half-time and told ourselves that we had nothing to lose. We have a strong mentality, and that’s important to win games.
“Macario is a world-class player, she changed the game. She showed a lot of confidence by scoring those two penalties.”
Toril: Penalties part of the game, but we are growing
Real Madrid coach Alberto Toril to UEFA.com:
“Those 10 minutes condemned us. There are two penalties that you can’t avoid – they’re part of the game. The team then finished well, creating chances. If you look at the stats, we’ve had more possession, more shots on goal. We’re growing.
“The feelings after these first eight games, because we also played Sporting CP before the group stage, are very good. We’ve been very competitive and consistent in our performances, and now we’re going to enjoy the quarter-finals.”
Weir: We didn’t take our chances
Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir to UEFA.com:
“We lost the game in the second half. I think we were very good but Chelsea are a great team, it was a very intense game and I think we played well overall.
“It was very difficult to maintain the level of the first half for 90 minutes, but in the end we created quite a few chances and we didn’t take them. I think it was a very entertaining game to watch.”
Celtic finish bottom of Group B after Twente defeat
Celtic’s debut campaign in the Women’s Champions League group stage concluded with another loss as they were beaten 3-0 at Twente.
A contest both sides went into with hopes of reaching the quarter-finals already over saw the hosts take the lead through Kayleigh van Dooren’s 20th-minute finish.
Celtic then scored two own goals before the break, via 18-year-old goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers and Natalie Ross as they fell to a sixth defeat from as many games in Group B.
While Elena Sadiku’s Ghirls finished bottom of the pool, third-placed Twente ended up with six points, having also defeated Celtic 2-0 in their opener.
