Chelsea Women secured thrvictory a illing 3-2 over Real Madrid Women in their opening match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League at Stamford Bridge on October 8, 2024.
This match marked a significant moment for Chelsea, as it was also the first Champions League game under new head coach **Sonia Bompastor**.
### Match Summary
– **Early Goals**: Chelsea took an early lead with an own goal from Real Madrid’s **Misa Garcia** just two minutes into the match. This was followed by a penalty conversion from **Guro Reiten**, giving Chelsea a 2-0 advantage.
– **Madrid’s Response**: Real Madrid fought back with a goal from **Alba Redondo**, narrowing the score to 2-1 just before halftime.
– **Chelsea’s Third Goal**: Chelsea restored their two-goal cushion when **Mayra RamÃrez** scored with a header, assisted by a brilliant cross from **Lauren James**.
– **Final Moments**: In a tense finish, Madrid’s **Linda Caicedo** scored to make it 3-2, but Chelsea held on to secure the win despite late pressure from the visitors.
### Key Players
– **Sonia Bompastor**: This match was Bompastor’s first Champions League game in charge of Chelsea, following a successful start to the domestic season.
– **Guro Reiten**: Instrumental in securing the penalty and scoring, showcasing her critical role in the team’s attacking play.
– **Lauren James**: Provided an exceptional assist for Chelsea’s third goal, highlighting her playmaking abilities.
### Upcoming Matches
Following this victory, Chelsea will face Arsenal in their next Women’s Super League fixture, aiming to maintain their strong start to the season.
