Well thank you for joining me for such a thrilling match! Olga Carmona scored a brilliant goal before Niamh Charles equalised before the break, Sam Kerr thought she had sealed the three points for Chelsea but a controversial penalty scored by Carmona levelled things once more. To catch up with all the action have a read of Sophie Downey’s report from Madrid below. We will catch you next week for some more Women’s Champions League action.
Sam Kerr’s header put Chelsea 2-1 for a period before the penalty equalised things. The goal has taken her to 10 WCL group stage goals, the first player to score that many:
The first player to score 🔟 group stage goals 👊#UWCL pic.twitter.com/ahGBJ68Ii8
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) November 15, 2023
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has spoken about the officiating at her press conference, calling it '“painful”, adding: “I think we’ve been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game.”
DAZN has uploaded the full video of the final goal, I think the question is does Sam Kerr interfere with play as she is in an offside position when Millie Bright hits it. In my opinion she doesn’t but what do you think?
THE FLAG SAVES REAL MADRID... LAST KICK OF THE GAME. 😳
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 15, 2023
🏴 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/4reBwkjNFw
🇪🇸 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/Vzsm6hudG3
🇧🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/lpFmy6xJWr #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/WyuVCzZ8VT
There has been a shock in the other game as PSG were unable to cancel out Ajax’s two first half goals and the Dutch side have come away with all three points!
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Okay I had no time to check social media during the game as it was so frantic but it seems a large majority agree the penalty should not have been given. There is also a lot of confusion surrounding why the final goal was ruled out, hopefully we will be given some clarity on that. This is a screenshot of Charles being miles onside for the final goal which was chalked off but some argue Kerr is offside and interferred with play, tricky to judge without a full video replay. If I find a video I shall share it!
There are simply no words. pic.twitter.com/JeECMptUJy
— Maryam Clark (@MaryamClark98) November 15, 2023
Some stats from the game, Chelsea had 21 attempts at goal to Real Madrid’s four, the Blues had 10 corners to Madrid’s one and Emma Hayes’ side had 58 per cent possession to Madrid’s 42 per cent.
DAZN haven’t uploaded footage of the penalty or the last goal that has been ruled out so I cannot show you anything from those. It will be interesting to see what Hayes says in her press conference.
For the last Chelsea goal that was ruled out, it cannot be Charles being offside the reason it was scratched out. I think Kerr made contact with someone in the area but it made no difference to the outcome so I am slightly baffled that it hasn’t stood. But hey ho! No VAR, no argument.
Full-time: Real Madrid 2-2 Chelsea
Chelsea may feel aggrieved at only coming away with a point in the match after a controversial penalty was awarded an scored to level the game and that last goal not standing. Emma Hayes shakes her head as she greets her players, I think she believes she should be heading back to England with three points. Aside from the controversy it was an electric game, Carmona opened the scoring but Charles equalised before half-time. Kerr thought she had won it for her side with a great header but Carmona’s penalty drew the match.
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90 + 6 min: OH MY WORD!!! Chelsea thought they had scored but Charles is ruled offside but she was miles onside? I’m so confused.
90 + 5 min: Chelsea keep coming but Real Madrid’s defence is doing everything to keep them out!
90 + 3 min: It’s actually five minutes added, apologies! Real Madrid are on the hunt now, can they come up with a winner? They put in a lovely cross but Berger reads it well to collect. Another James shot is blocked, Chelsea are throwing everything at this.
90 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added. Real Madrid’s Kathellen has been shown a yellow card for taking too long over a free kick.
90 min: Lauren bloody James! She rattles the bar with a long range effort and Fleming can’t convert the rebound. Jeeeez that was close. Raso is on for Caicedo and Olofsson is on for Abelleira.
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89 min: Chelsea are running out of time here and Real Madrid will be happy with this point if things stay as they are after the Blues’ dominant performance.
88 min: James puts in a long range effort but Misa collects and hits the deck, winding down the clock for her team. This action is crazy, I may get repetitive strain injury from the typing!
86 min: WHAT A SAVE from Misa!! The ball comes to Kaneryd on the edge of the area and she rifles off a shot but Misa pushes it wide for another corner. It’s whipped in but defended well by Real Madrid.
85 min: James slips in the box and Real Madrid relieve pressure momentarily. Chelsea get it in the box again and James wins a corner, she is in a hurry to take it. They take it short but Caicedo sees it out for another corner.
84 min: Bright has now given away a free kick on Caicedo, it didn’t look like a foul but the decisions are going Real Madrid’s way at the moment. Chelsea recover the ball though and are on the attack once more.
83 min: Here come Real Madrid again and it is an absolute stellar run from Caicedo! But Carter manages to get back to wrestle the ball off of her, this game is alive!
82 min: Chelsea are pushing for a winner here, the players were not happy even after Carmona had been scored.
80 min: Just a reminder that there is no VAR in operation so the referee only gets her view of the situation. For me that isn’t a penalty as the contact happens outside of the box and the Del Castillo, cleverly, goes down in the box.
PENALTY! Real Madrid 2-2 Chelsea (Carmona, 79')
Carmona has a calm head and strikes past Berger! Chelsea players still protesting here.
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78 min: A penalty has been awarded! Del Castillo was on a lightning break and Fleming tackled her. Del Castillo hit the deck and the referee blows her whistle, Fleming by my eyes tackles her outside the area but she goes down in it!
78 min: A great run from James sees Chelsea in the box but a loose pass sees Real Madrid clear their lines.
76 min: Of course Kerr scores after I say it isn’t her evening! It was a move they tried again and again, picking out Kerr for a header and finally it connects and Chelsea are ahead.
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GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea (Kerr, 75')
Kerr with a huge header
74 min: Fleming crosses the ball in to find Kerr but it’s over her head, the offside flag is raised regardless. Berger has a risky pass to Bright out of the back but Chelsea do come away with it, on the attack once more. Charles picks out Kerr again but she can’t connect, doesn’t seem like the Australia international’s evening.
72 min: Penalty appeals from the Chelsea players as Fleming is tackled in the box but the referee shakes her head and the game goes on, I think it would have been a soft penalty if it was given. Real Madrid make another change with Bruun off for Feller, an interesting call as Bruun has been electric this evening.
70 min: James with little options and so wallops it towards goal, Misa just about controls it. The game is so frantic at the moment, Chelsea desperate for a winner and the defence from Real Madrid is equally as desperate.
68 min: It’s whipped in but it’s initially headed away. Del Castillo looks to hit it back in but she’s hounded off the ball. Chelsea now break, Lawrence and James connect well but her resulting pass only finds Misa. James finds herself with ball at feet again and rushes the chance with it straight over the bar.
66 min: James’ first touch of the ball is with her hand and so Real Madrid have an opportunity to clear their lines. Emma Hayes seems to be getting frustrated, I can hear her shouting at her players on the stream! The hosts are given an opportunity as Bright fouls Bruun, they work it into the box but Charles blocks it out for a corner.
64 min: Toletti with some fancy footwork in the midfield but it doesn’t pay off as Chelsea win it, Nusken takes a shot but Misa is there once again. Chelsea would most definitely be ahead by now if it were not for the keeper’s great work. Chelsea come again and Kerr takes a crack at goal but Carmona blocks. Chelsea make their first change with Kirby off for James.
63 min: Again Bright pings the ball long again and Real Madrid win it back but Abelleira fouls and Chelsea come away with it, Charles takes a punt at goal but Misa collects.
61 min: Chelsea are completely dominating in the stats at the moment, they’ve had seven corners to Real Madrid’s zero and 11 attempts at goal to Madrid’s one. Zornoza is off for Oroz in the first change of the game for Real Madrid.
59 min: They take it but Chelsea win it back quickly. Kaneryd tries to cross but Kathellen sees it out for a corner. It comes in but it’s headed away, Real Madrid have had Chelsea’s number on set pieces tonight.
58 min: Bright tries the long range pass but it’s straight out, she has tried that move a few times tonight and it has only paid off once – maybe a switch of tactic is needed there. Lawrence gives away a free kick with a foul on Caicedo, it is deep in the Real Madrid half once again.
56 min: Chelsea have a patient build-up but it falls to Nusken’s feet and her shot is over the bar. It has been all Chelsea in the last few minutes.
55 min: Andres, what an evening she is having! Kirby was in a great position and she fired off a shot but it’s blocked. Chelsea keep coming but they aren’t pulling the trigger at the right time at the moment.
54 min: Real Madrid takes it and it sets Caicedo on a terrific run, suddenly the hosts are in the box with a great cross but Berger catches. What a few minutes!
52 min: How has Kerr not scored there? How? How? How? Carter found Kerr perfectly and she made a great run and control in the box. Misa read it incredibly well and puts in a HUGE save, she pushes it out for a corner. It is whipped in but it’s headed away. Caicedo is caught by Kaneryd and so Real Madrid have a free kick deep in their own half.
51 min: Oh my goodness, that is one of the best passes I have seen in a while. An absolute beauty from Bruun to Caicedo, she can’t convert it into a chance as Chelsea push them backwards but that pass was stunning!
49 min: Exchanging of possession at the moment in the midfield, a bit frantic at the moment. Chelsea’s high press pays off though as Kaneryd wins a throw in high up the pitch. It’s crossed in and Kerr’s header is on target but Misa collects.
47 min: Del Castillo does well to shepherd the ball out of play to get a goal kick rather than a corner. A slow opening to the second half so far.
Back underway! Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
The second 45 is upon us, will the teams share the points? Or will someone find a winner? All to come.
Do keep your thoughts coming in via email, I’d love to hear from you.
Here are the two goals from this match so far:
FROM LONG RANGE! Olga Carmona opens the scoreline for Real Madrid and in some style. 🤩
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 15, 2023
🏴 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/4reBwkjNFw
🇪🇸 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/Vzsm6hudG3
🇧🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/lpFmy6xJWr #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/o4qa7cRMg8
Ashley Lawrence with the cross. Niamh Charles with the goal. 🎯⚽️
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 15, 2023
We're level in Madrid.
🏴 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/4reBwkjNFw
🇪🇸 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/Vzsm6hudG3
🇧🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/lpFmy6xJWr #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/AFrqTIc5gn
In the other match Ajax are leading PSG 2-0! If they come away with the win it would be an upset with the French club favourites before kick-off.
Half-time: Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
Well the hosts took the lead from a brilliant Carmona goal but Charles levelled to make it an even playing field once again.
45 + 2 min: The ball drops to Nusken after a scramble in the box from the corner but Misa saves.
45 + 1 min: Cuthbert takes the free kick, it was on target but Toletti deflects it out for a corner. One minute added here.
45 min: Wow that was almost a penalty! Toletti is handed a yellow card and Chelsea have a free kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Kaneryd.
44 min: It will be interesting to see how that equaliser changes the balance of the game, Chelsea have had the lion share of the possession but Real Madrid had been stoic in their defence. They cannot afford to fade now.
42 min: Chelsea worked the ball through the team, it came to Lawrence who picked out Charles who finished it off with a bullet header! It’s Charles’ first Champions League goal.
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GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea (Charles, 42')
Lovely team goal!
40 min: Kaneryd tries a chip over the top but Kathellen clears, Real Madrid’s defence has been incredible so far – so controlled, precise and calm. The ball is now Chelsea’s as Carmona is judged to have had a foul throw. Kirby whips it in but it was just over the head of Kerr, it comes back and Andres clears it! Chelsea coming so close.
38 min: Bright puts a long ball in again but it has too much on it. For all of Chelsea’s efforts they are yet to reap any reward.
36 min: Cuthbert takes the corner but Kathellen heads away. It comes back to Cuthbert who tries a long range shot but it’s over the bar. Chelsea can smell the equaliser and are hunting for it, there’s a great cross and it looks like Fleming will score but Misa collects.
34 min: The delivery is okay but it’s cleared quickly by Real Madrid. Chelsea work it upfield again but Caicedo does really well to get it away but the English side are fighting and they win a corner off of Carmona.
33 min: Cuthbert takes it and it’s a poor delivery, if Hernandez left that it would have been straight out but she headed away giving Chelsea another platform. Kerr whacks the ball and it’s deflected out for another corner.
32 min: Hakan has got in touch and said: “I just wanted to say how proud and happy I am that Häcken won away to FC Paris. We lost the league by the narrowest goal difference on Saturday and today they beat the team that took out Arsenal. And next week we play Real!” And beat the team who also knocked out Wolfsburg, it was a statement win, it would be great to see it continue. Back to the game and Chelsea have a free kick in a great position after a Toletti foul.
31 min: Fleming takes the corner and it’s smashed away by Bruun, Chelsea have a throw in but Fleming hits it out and the hosts recover once more.
29 min: Real Madrid win it back and despite Chelsea’s hardest efforts they can’t be muscled off the ball! Andres picks out a pass but Berger gets there before Caicedo – the hosts definitely the stronger. WHAT A SAVE from Misa, Chelsea suddenly break and Kirby passes to Kerr. She whips it at goal but Misa pushes away for a corner.
28 min: Chelsea are being more patient in their latest attack but Kathellen heads away Kirby’s cross into the box. Cuthbert gives away a free kick with a challenge on Bruun, the hosts look to build from deep. They take it but they are forced backwards by Chelsea initially and then Caicedo gives it away.
26 min: Charles gives away a free kick with a hand ball but Real Madrid are in their own half. Eventually they see it out of play and Chelsea have possession, the Blues need to put a confident attack into action, it seems very rushed at the moment. They rush again and Kerr hits it out.
24 min: Bright comes to the rescue as Caicedo hunts down a great pass, Real Madrid continue to pull the strings in this one.
22 min: Caicedo tries a move similar to her goal against Germany at the World Cup but her touch is a bit too heavy and Berger is able to clear. Chelsea are on the attack after a huge ball from Bright, it comes to Kerr who tries to find Kirby but Real Madrid do just enough to take it away from her, that was close to an equaliser.
20 min: It’s whipped in but it’s headed away easily, Chelsea appeal for another corner but it isn’t given. Every time Chelsea get forward at the moment Real Madrid’s defence swarms them and forces the visitors into errors, it’s an impressive start to the group stage from them.
18 min: Chelsea have composed themselves since the goal but Real Madrid are clearly still on top, just as I type that Charles wins a corner – always the way!
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16 min: Here come Chelsea and they try and find Kerr on the edge of the box but Toletti does well to take it away from her. Chelsea win it back and appeal for a foul on Kerr but it isn’t given.
14 min: Real Madrid want to punish Chelsea while they have the momentum and they come forward again but Caicedo is pulled back. The goal has been awarded to Carmona to save Chelsea’s blushes.
12 min: Real Madrid had been building their attack, Berger had a weak clearance and it came back to Real Madrid. A pass came to Carmona and she walloped it at goal, it may have taken a deflection off of Bright so I will see if it goes down as an own goal. But wow, what a goal.
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GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Chelsea (Carmona, 10')
WHAT A SCREAMER!
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10 min: Zach has got in touch and said: “As a USWNT/Arsenal fan I could not be more happy with Hayes coming to the USA. Along with everything else, she instills her calm confidence in her players. Last season, Chelsea had so many games in hand near the end, they could win them all and top the league, but it was a lot of pressure to play six league games in May. They won them all without looking worried at all.” Hayes is incredible with Chelsea and has been with Arsenal in the past too, as an assistant. It will be so interesting to see her on the international stage. Back to the match and Carter is having to do a lot of cover work as Real Madrid grow into this game and start to implement their attack.
8 min: A long range effort comes in but Berger is able to collect, it looked to be going wide regardless. The tussle between Caicedo and Lawrence will be so interesting tonight, they are both not giving each other any breathing space, the ball comes to Kirby again after connecting with Kaneryd again – a great combination so far.
6 min: CARMONA! My word, Kirby looked sure to score there with a perfectly time ball to her in the box. But Carmona timed her tackle perfectly to halt the attack, superb.
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4 min: Lovely bit of work there from Kaneryd as she outmanoeuvres two Madrid players to find Cuthbert, she crosses but it doesn’t find a Chelsea teammate. Fleming is caught and wins a free kick but Chelsea have to build from deep to create something here.
2 min: Lawrence hounding Caicedo early on, she knows what she is capable and trying to crowd out the space around the Colombia international.
Kick-off! Real Madrid 0-0 Chelsea
So can Chelsea upset the party in Madrid? Or can Real Madrid deal Chelsea their first loss of the season? WE will soon find out.
Ah there we go! Commentary is back up, Sam Kerr looks bang up for this!
The players are out on the pitch and this game is just minutes away from kicking off. If you’re watching the stream do not worry you aren’t the only one not getting any commentary! Hopefully that fixes as the match progresses.
Read Madrid manager Alberto Toril has also spoken ahead of the match: “We’re going to approach this game in the best possible way and we’ll go out to compete well against a very tough side. We’re playing at home, we have good momentum at the moment and we’re going to go out for the win. Throughout the match we have to adapt to every situation. Chelsea manage matches very well and they have a lot of experienced players. We’ll have to manage that and understand what we need at any given moment.”
Menos de 2️⃣4️⃣ horas...#UWCL pic.twitter.com/Ma5Or6TBBt
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) November 14, 2023
There is one star on the Real Madrid team that many of you may have been introduced to during the World Cup – Colombia’s Linda Caicedo. Her amazing technical ability helped her team beat Germany and make herself a household name. Chelsea will have to watch out for her threat tonight if they are to get a result.
There are three other games happening today in the competition. Bayern v Roma and Paris FC v Hacken have already finished with Bayern and Roma settling for a 2-2 draw and Hacken beating Paris 2-1. Ajax will take on PSG with the same kick-off time as Real Madrid Chelsea. I’ll update you with that score as we go.
The Women’s Champions League group stage started yesterday with results including Barcelona beating Benfica 5-0 and Lyon recording a 9-0 win over Slavia Praha. Read all about yesterday’s action:
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I’d love to hear your opinions on Hayes’ departure and new job with the USWNT, email me your thoughts! Also I always love to hear about snacks while watching the game so leave those too!
For all the details on Hayes’ move to the USWNT have a read of the full story:
Chelsea captain Millie Bright was asked about her reaction to Hayes’ departure in the pre-match press conference and she said: “It has been a bit of a whirlwind [since the announcement], Immediately, as a player and a person, I was devastated. I’ve been here nine years now under Em. I’ve learned so much - she is a mentor, a coach, a friend, a life coach, it’s more than just playing football under her. That has probably been the biggest thing in taking my game to the next level. If you can play under a manager that long and keep thriving it’s very rare. It has been a privilege to work with her for so long. We’re so grateful and proud of what we’ve achieved but we have a full season ahead and that’s what we’re focused on.”
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has spoken about what it would mean if she could win the WCL trophy with the club in her final season. “It would be a fairytale to win it, of course,” she said “But I didn’t grow up liking fairytales – my sister did. I would love nothing more than to be in a winning position with this team.”
The team news is in! Real Madrid have made two changes to their starting team who beat Real Sociedad 7-1 last Friday with Ivana Andres and Claudia Zornoza in for Rocio and Hayley Raso.
Real Madrid: Misa, Oihane, Ivana, Kathellen, Olga, Toletti, Teresa, Athenea, Zornoza, Caicedo, Bruun
Chelsea, meanwhile, have also made two changes from their 3-0 win over Everton in the WSL last weekend. Ashley Lawrence and Fran Kirby come in for Eve Perisset and Jelena Cankovic.
Chelsea: Berger, Bright, Nusken, Carter, Lawrence, Kirby, Fleming, Kaneryd, Kerr, Charles, Cuthbert
Your Chelsea tonight! 🔵#UWCL pic.twitter.com/jgXSmOv228
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) November 15, 2023
Preamble
Good evening and welcome back to the Women’s Champions League! Tonight we have Real Madrid v Chelsea and they game has had a lot of build-up thanks to the Blues boss Emma Hayes being confirmed as the next USWNT head coach.
She will take up the role after the current season is over, meaning she has one last chance to win the WCL with Chelsea. It is the only trophy that has evaded Hayes’ grasp at Chelsea since she took charge in 2012. I will cover the story more as the blog continues as there have been a lot of press conferences and opinions being shared.
Back to this game though, Chelsea and Real Madrid were also placed in the same group last season where they drew once and Chelsea won once. They were close matches and so another close encounter can be expected – though star forward Caroline Weir will not play for Madrid as she is currently out with an ACL injury.
Chelsea are the only English club left in the competition too after Arsenal and Manchester United were knocked out in the qualifying rounds.
The match will kick-off at 8pm GMT and the team will be revealing their line-ups shortly so stay tuned for updates.
