Controversy reigned at the Estadio Alfredo di Stéfano as Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by a resilient Real Madrid side in their Champions League opener. Olga Carmona’s early strike was cancelled out by Niamh Charles’s header in the first half. Sam Kerr appeared to have set a mature Chelsea on the path to victory only for Madrid to be awarded a debatable penalty that Carmona converted.
Refereeing decisions continued to overshadow an otherwise competitive encounter, leaving Emma Hayes feeling her side had “been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game”. With the last kick of the match, Charles wheeled away in celebration thinking she had capped another superb performance by sending her side home with an important three points. The goal was, however, disallowed for a supposed infraction by Kerr leaving the visitors and their travelling fans confused.
