Chelsea waited to reach the Champions League after a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid.
The Blues knew that a win would secure their place in the quarter-finals with two games remaining in Group A, but they were almost left behind at half-time when goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, trying to play at the back, gave the ball straight to. Caroline Weir and the midfielder headed home from the edge of the box.
Chelsea would have taken the lead and set to win their 12th in a row when Sam Kerr hit a cross in just the second minute and a close-range effort hit the post.
But Chelsea’s fortunes in front of goal changed when Guro Reiten, who had been brought down in the penalty area by Ivana in the second half, sent a cross into the post that bounced off goalkeeper Misa and into the net.
A tale of two goalkeepers
Just about to score against Leicester last week, Chelsea could have made a better start when the ball fell to Kerr in the six-yard box for a corner, but the striker fired over the crossbar and over.
Kerr had a surprisingly difficult night in front of goal, hitting the woodwork with little effort after Lauren James played her in on goal in the area.
Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir (centre) celebrates her goal against Chelsea
Real Madrid, second in Liga F, soon made the Blues pay for Berger’s mistake when Weir swept the ball into an unguarded net.
Real Madrid’s Magdalena Eriksson has been insulted by Chelsea’s Magdalena Eriksson
Emma Hayes brought on Fran Kirby and Niamh Charles for Magdalena Eriksson and Jessie Fleming at the break although Chelsea did little better in the second half. Luckily they were almost on the hour mark after Reiten’s free-kick hit the left and fired Misa away.
Berger went on to atone for his previous mistake by denying Olga Carmona with a terrific late save while at the other end Misa stopped Kerr from scoring the winner in the last minute, stopping everyone else.
What’s next for Chelsea?
ChelseaThe next Champions League match is on Forest on Friday December 16; start time is 5.45pm. Their last Group A game against PSG will be held at Stamford Bridge on Thursday December 22 with an 8pm kick-off. The knockout phase begins on March 21 with the quarter-finals and ends with the final on June 4 2023 at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The quarter finals will be held on January 20.
Sunday 11 December 6:30pm
It starts at 6:45pm
Before that, Chelsea will want to stay at the top of the WSL when it comes Reading at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, go ahead Sky Sports. It starts at 6.45pm.
