Chelsea had to settle for a 2-2 UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stage draw at Real Madrid after having a couple of big late decisions go against them.
Group C: Bayern Münich 2-2 AS Roma, Ajax 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Group D: Real Madrid 2-2 Chelsea, Paris FC 1-2 BK Häcken
OIga Carmona had given Real a 10th-minute lead when her effort deflected off Millie Bright to beat goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Chelsea levelled before the break, as Niamh Charles headed home an Ashley Lawrence cross.
Charles turned provider approaching the last quarter of an hour, crossing for Sam Kerr to net with a powerful header but when Jessie Fleming was adjudged to have brought down Athenea del Castillo in the box, Carmona hit the penalty into the top corner.
Chelsea will have felt hard done by the penalty decision, likewise with an offside call against Charles’ late finish. Lauren James was also thwarted late on but by the crossbar, as Emma Hayes’ side had to settle with a draw to start their UWCL campaign.
Also in Group D, BK Hacken made a winning start away to Paris FC, Rosa Kafaji and Anna Sandberg their scorers before Julie Dufour replied from the spot.
Tiny Hoekstra and Sherida Spitse found the net as Ajax defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-0, while AS Roma twice pegged back Bayern to draw 2-2 in Munich, Jovana Damnjanovic’s opener was cancelled out by Evelyne Viens and although the lead was restored by Elena Linari’s own-goal, Manuela Giugliano levelled in the 90th minute.
The second round of group stage games are on 22 and 23 November, with Chelsea hosting Paris FC on the Thursday at 8pm.
