Chelsea unable to secure Women's Champions League quarter-final spot in frustrating draw with Real Madrid
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Published 08/12/2022 at 22:15 GMT
Emma Hayes' side remain unbeaten in this season's competition and have a three point cushion at the top of their group but were left frustrated by Real Madrid, who took the lead in Spain. Guro Reiten equalised from the penalty spot, while Sam Kerr missed a number of good chances on a night where Chelsea struggled to find their usual flow.
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Chelsea missed the chance to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Real Madrid.
They had a glorious chance to take the lead in the early stages when the hosts failed to deal with a corner and the ball fell to Sam Kerr, who rifled a shot against the crossbar.
As the first half wore on, the Women’s Super League leaders were not displaying the fluidity that has come to be expected from Emma Hayes’ side, who arrived at the game with three wins from three in the competition.
The woodwork was proving to be against Kerr, as Chelsea’s next big chance fell to the Australian once more.
Lauren James found Kerr in space but, when she looked destined to put the visitors ahead, her shot came back off the post.
Christmas may still be over two weeks away, but Madrid were presented with an absolute gift by Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to give them the lead.
Instead of clearing her lines, Berger passed the ball straight to Caroline Weir and the Scottish forward finished into an empty net to put Madrid 1-0 ahead going into the break.
Weir’s strike signalled the first time Chelsea had conceded in the competition this season.
Frustration was building for the English side as they struggled to find any kind of momentum at the start of the second period, but then the festive gift-giving was evened up Ivana Andres.
The Madrid captain brought down Guro Reiten in the box with a clumsy challenge, giving Chelsea the chance to level things from the penalty spot.
Reiten picked herself up and took the kick - which she saw Misa Rodriguez get a hand to, only for the ball to smack the post and rebound into the net via the back of the head of the despairing ‘keeper.
A sigh of relief for Emma Hayes.
With ten minutes remaining, Madrid had a big chance to regain the lead, but Berger made amends for her earlier mistake by saving from Olga Carmona who had latched onto a ball at the edge of the area.
It was then Rodriguez’s turn at the other end to make a crucial stop as, with the game heading for injury time, a fingertip save prevented Kerr from snatching a late winner.
Chelsea remain top of Group A, three points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, and will hope to secure their progress to the next stage when they face Vllaznia Femra next.
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