Chelsea took a huge step towards the Champions League latter stages after two second-half goals edged out a stubborn Real Madrid.
The Blues couldn’t break down their Spanish Group A rivals for much of the contest at Kingsmeadow, but Welsh midfielder Sophie Ingle headed home in the 67th minute after Erin Cuthbert’s corner to give the hosts a crucial breakthrough. And Cuthbert, who scored a sensational goal against Tottenham at the weekend, then sealed the points when her angled cross-shot dipped under the bar.
The win means the WSL leaders keep their European winning streak going and top the group on nine points, firmly in pole position to progress to the quarter-final stage. Former Manchester City star Caroline Weir was lively for Las Blancas, but in truth they looked content for a point, until Ingle broke the deadlock.
