Chelsea launched their campaign for Women’s Champions League glory with a thrilling 3-2 win over Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. The match kicked off with an early goal from Chelsea in the second minute, as a cross from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd inadvertently caused an own goal when it deflected off Sheila Garcia, through a header by Sjoeke Nuesken that found its way into the net. Chelsea’s dominance continued, with Guro Reiten doubling the lead just before the half-hour mark. A penalty was awarded when Maria Mendez clashed with Nuesken in the box, leading to Reiten confidently converting the spot-kick past Madrid’s goalkeeper, Misa Rodriguez.
However, Real Madrid managed to narrow the deficit just before halftime when Alba Redondo found the back of the net after benefiting from an intricate play initiated by Olga Carmona. Redondo displayed composure amidst some frantic defending in the Chelsea box and flicked the ball past the goalkeeper following a series of rebounds. After the break, Chelsea regained their two-goal cushion when Mayra Ramirez scored a header in the 53rd minute that looped over the helpless Rodriguez. Although Linda Caicedo made it nervy in the closing stages with a late goal, a close-range tap-in in the 84th minute, Chelsea ultimately held on to secure the victory, marking a successful start to their group stage campaign.
In another Group B fixture, Dutch club Twente secured a straightforward 2-0 win over Celtic in Glasgow, with Kayleigh van Dooren scoring both goals—one in each half. This result places Twente alongside Chelsea as a team to watch in the group. Meanwhile, in Group A, last year’s finalists Lyon cruised to a 3-0 victory against Galatasaray, showcasing their strength and experience. Kadidiatou Diani was instrumental for Lyon, scoring twice with headers, while defender Vanessa Gilles added another. Diani opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a well-placed header from a Tabitha Chawinga cross, while Gilles made it two with another close-range header just before halftime.
Lyon continued to assert their dominance in the second half, with Gilles narrowly missing a chance to add another goal when her header hit the crossbar. Diani, however, completed her brace in the 77th minute, guiding yet another header into the net after receiving a perfect cross from Amel Majri. The Lyon defender, Gilles, expressed the team’s satisfaction with the victory, noting the resilience they encountered from Galatasaray, emphasizing the challenges inherent in Champions League football.
In a surprising result, AS Roma edged past two-time champions Wolfsburg 1-0 in a tight encounter, courtesy of a penalty scored by their new captain, Manuela Giugliano, in the 14th minute. Despite Wolfsburg’s efforts, which saw them strike the woodwork twice in the second half, Roma’s defense remained resolute, allowing the Italian side to take all three points. This result places Roma second in Group A, just behind Lyon based on goal difference.
As the group stage continues, the competition remains fierce, with other notable matches set for Wednesday. Arsenal is set to travel to Bayern Munich, while reigning Champions League holders Barcelona will commence their title defense against Manchester City. The stage is set for thrilling clashes, as clubs aim to secure vital points early in the tournament to bolster their chances of reaching the knockout stages and ultimately contesting the coveted title. The excitement of the Women’s Champions League is palpable as teams vie for glory in European football.
