15 November 2023 , 22:04
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Chelsea's were held to a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid to start their final Champions League campaign under Emma Hayes after some controversial decisions from the officials.
In the Blues' first game since manager Hayes was officially confirmed as the new USWNT manager, a late penalty from Olga Carmona, her second of the game, denied them a win.
That was after Sam Kerr looked to have won it with a fine finish late on, while Niamh Charles then saw what would have been the winner ruled out for a push in a frantic finish. Earlier, a superb header from Charles cancelled out Carmona's deflected opener after a poor clearance from Ann-Katrin Berger.
With the WSL holders trailing with only a few minutes to go until half-time, Charles connected superbly with a excellent Ashley Lawrence cross to power home a header. Then Kerr appeared to have secured the win late on, after another pinpoint delivery, this time from Charles.
But Jessie Fleming brought down Del Castillo, although the challenge looked to be outside the box, giving Carmona the chance to fire past Berger and earn the Liga F runners-up a draw. There was still time for Lauren James to hit the bar, before Charles thought she had won it with a last gasp finish, only for the assistant referee's flag to deny them.
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The result means Chelsea have still not lost since the Champions League semi-final first leg from last season, against another Spanish superclub, Barcelona. Here are the talking points from Madrid.
Penalty controversy earns Real a point
For large periods of the game Chelsea were the stronger side and created better chances. And when Sam Kerr perfectly met Niamh Charles' hanging cross, the Blues were on course for a vital win.
But Madrid hit back in controversial circumstances. Jessie Fleming was adjudged to have brought down Athenea del Castillo.
Contact was minimal, but more importantly, the challenge looked to have taken place outside the box. It was a harsh decision and will have left plenty of Chelsea fans asking when or why VAR continues to be excluded from the group stage of Europe's biggest women's competition. Coupled with the controversial late call to deny Charles a last ditch winner for a foul, Chelsea just didn't get the rub of the green this evening.
Hayes endues mixed start to European last dance
Emma Hayes said before the game that it would be a "fairy tale" to win the European Cup in her final season at Chelsea, albeit with the added caveat that she didn't like them growing up. But Hayes' final run started with a strong performance in the Blues' toughest fixture of this group.
Despite falling behind early, Chelsea maintained their composure and dominated possession for most of the contest. Jessie Fleming and Erin Cuthbert's patience ensured they not only had more of the ball but created better chances to boot.
It was the type of mature European performance Chelsea have made part of their repertoire in recent times. The road to May's final in Bilbao is long and winding, but the first step on the journey will have pleased Hayes. Could this be the year she lifts Europe's top prize with Chelsea before making the leap across the pond?
Emma Hayes will join the USA Women's National Team next yearCarmona again shows big match credentials
Having broken English hearts in the World Cup final over the summer, Spanish full-back Olga Carmona again showed why she is such a big match player. The 23-year-old was one of Real Madrid's best players on the night, showing her intentions with a crunching early tackle on Fran Kirby.
And in the 10th minute she gave the hosts the lead, albeit with the help of a deflection off Millie Bright. Carmona drove forward into space and let fly from 30 yards. It was a gamble worth the pay off.
The ball flew past Berger in the Chelsea goal and once again Carmona had found the net against the English. When given the chance to earn Madrid a point with a late penalty, there was never any doubting the captain would miss. She duly fired past Berger and secured a vital point for her team.
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Olga Carmona challenges Fran KirbyAshley Lawrence offers energy
This time last year Ashley Lawrence was competing against Chelsea and Real Madrid in the group stage, in the colours of PSG. Lawrence was a long-time transfer target for the Las Blancas, but ended up in London this summer and made her European debut for the Blues.
And the Canadian full-back the sort of performance that showed why Emma Hayes was so keen to bring her to Chelsea. Against a high quality Real Madrid left flank featuring both Carmona and Linda Caicedo, Lawrence brought a calmness and composure to her defending.
She managed to slow Real's progress down the left flank and force a tactical tweak in the second half from opposition manager Alberto Toril. And her fine performance was capped with the perfect cross for Charles' equaliser.
Linda Caicedo of Real Madrid duels for the ball with Niamh CharlesWorld Cup star Caicedo kept quiet
18-year-old wonderkid Linda Caicedo was one of the stars of the World Cup, her dazzling displays helping Colombia to the last eight. Now in the all-white of Real Madrid, Caicedo has been one of Las Blancas best players this season.
But tonight Chelsea marshalled her superbly. Whether the Colombian popped up on the left or the right flank, the Blues kept her quiet. Caicedo is clearly talented on the ball, but will have to find ways around been the focus of defensive attention.
At times in this one she drew the attention of not just Lawrence, or Jess Carter, but also the ever-present Erin Cuthbert who seemed to cover every blade of grass. Eventually substituted late on, tonight was a learning curve for Caicedo, but she'll be back on Europe's biggest stage.