UEFA Women’s Champions League: Chelsea Triumphs Over Real Madrid 2-1 in Full-Time Match
Thank you and good nightpublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
And that’s a wrap on this live page!
As we close the curtains on today’s thrilling action, I’ll leave you with Michael Emons’ report of Chelsea‘s impressive victory over Real Madrid.
Thank you once again for joining us, and make sure you tune in tomorrow for more football excitement!
Image source, Reuters
Postpublished at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
Tomorrow night promises more exhilarating action as Manchester City and Arsenal take to the pitch, vying to secure their standings at the top of their respective groups.
City will set their sights on Catalonia to challenge the defending champions Barcelona with kickoff at 17:45 GMT, while Arsenal face Bayern Munich at 20:00 GMT right at Meadow Park.
Be sure to catch all the live updates from both fixtures right here on the BBC Sport site!
Postpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
As the dust settles, here are the final standings in Group B.
Chelsea emerge as group winners after an undefeated streak of six victories, while Real Madrid comfortably secured their place in the quarter-finals, finishing just three points behind the leaders.
FC Twente claimed third place with six points, and Celtic, regrettably, end their campaign at the bottom with a woeful record of six defeats from six matches.
Image source, BBC SportCeltic bow outpublished at 19:47 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
FT: Twente 3-0 Celtic
And there we have it, the curtain has fallen in the Netherlands as Celtic sadly exits their debut group phase campaign.
A brisk start saw Twente take the lead through Kayleigh Van Dooren’s strike just 20 minutes in, with own goals from Lisa Rodgers and Natalie Ross swiftly extending the lead to 3-0 before the interval.
Both Twente and Celtic bid farewell to the tournament, marking a disheartening end to their campaigns.
Postpublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
FT: Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
In what proved to be an intense battleground in Madrid, Chelsea showcased their resilience, snatching a vital win against the giants of Real Madrid.
Image source, BBC SportFULL-TIMEpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
With this latest triumph, Chelsea cements their status, claiming six wins from six and finishing the group stage on a high note.
Catarina Macario’s exceptional performance, featuring two brilliant goals, ultimately proved decisive in this hard-fought encounter.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 90+3 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
Naomie Feller attempts to make something happen as she rises to meet the corner, but her effort sails harmlessly onto the roof of the net.
Postpublished at 90+2 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
In a last-ditch effort, Athenea del Castillo evades the challenge of Lucy Bronze in the area but fails to find a teammate with her delivery.
INJURY TIMEpublished at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
Another twist as we enter a minimum of three added minutes in this gripping encounter in the Spanish capital.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 88 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
In the dying moments, Catarina Macario takes the ball into the corner, skillfully draining the clock for Chelsea.
Postpublished at 86 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
As time winds down, Chelsea are firmly on the back foot, holding on tight to maintain their lead.
Sandy Baltimore steps up with a crucial clearance to neutralize Naomie Feller’s advance into the box.
Postpublished at 83 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
A dangerous set-piece situation has arisen, but Caroline Weir’s attempt fails to find the mark, sailing over the goal.
Image source, Getty ImagesYELLOW CARDpublished at 19:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
Sandy Baltimore’s tactical foul on Naomie Feller earns her a spot in the referee’s notebook—an unfortunate yet necessary interruption.
Celtic still trailpublished at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
Twente 3-0 Celtic
Meanwhile, at De Grolsch Veste, Celtic finds themselves trailing FC Twente by three goals, with the clock winding down to single digits.
Unless a miracle occurs, Celtic is poised to exit their debut group phase campaign without a solitary point.
Follow the closing stages.
Postpublished at 80 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
Sheila Garcia displayed remarkable footwork, weaving through challenges from Chelsea players before ultimately being intercepted by Erin Cuthbert.
Despite the foul, the referee awarded a free kick, yet Melanie Leupolz’s shot sky high over the crossbar demonstrates the pressure mounting on Madrid.
Postpublished at 77 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
Caroline Weir’s ambitious long-range free kick attempts to trouble Chelsea’s keeper, Hannah Hampton, but the shot is easily handled.
Postpublished at 19:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
The tension is palpable, with a sense that this match could witness at least another goal before the final whistle blows.
However, the outcome hangs in the balance, forcing us to ponder: which team will strike next?
Image source, Getty Images
YELLOW CARDpublished at 74 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
Immediately, Athenea del Castillo asserts herself but inadvertently collides with Lucy Bronze, resulting in a free kick for Chelsea.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 73 mins
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
In an effort to change the game dynamic, Madrid introduces a fresh attacking option—Athenea del Castillo takes the field, replacing Sandie Toletti.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 19:18 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea responds with tactical changes, introducing Ashley Lawrence along with the returning Sandy Baltimore to bolster their defense, making way for Sjoeke Nusken and Niamh Charles.
Ultimately, it was substitute Catarina Macario who emerged as the match-winner, netting two pivotal penalties to propel Chelsea from behind to a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid, securing their place in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals with a flawless group stage record.
Real seemed poised to clinch top spot following a well-placed shot from Caroline Weir, which Sam Kerr’s deflection left Chelsea’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton scrambling.
In a pivotal moment, Blues head coach Sonia Bompastor, looking to avert her first defeat since joining the club in the summer, made the inspired decision to bring Macario on for an underwhelming Mayra Ramirez at halftime, and it paid off spectacularly.
The substitution bore immediate fruit as Macario won and converted her first penalty in the 51st minute after a foul by Olga Carmona.
Carmona, who played a key role in Spain’s World Cup winning campaign, conceded another penalty shortly thereafter, handling the ball after a flick from Wieke Kaptein.
Macario would not miss, firing her shot high and true past the goalkeeper into the corner of the net as Chelsea seized control of Group B with their six perfect victories.
Macario remarked confidently, “I went out knowing what I had to do. I wanted to have a positive impact and give my all, to give my team more options and bring energy.”
Anticipating the draw for the next phase, Macario asserted, “Looking ahead, it doesn’t matter who comes. We are confident in our abilities.”
Chelsea now gears up to face one of the group runners-up in the quarter-finals set to commence in March, with the draw scheduled for February 7 in Nyon, Switzerland.
German outfit VfL Wolfsburg will finish second in Group A, while the top prizes in Groups C and D await clarity following tomorrow’s matches.
Bayern Munich currently sits atop Group C ahead of a crucial showdown with Arsenal, as Manchester City seeks to solidify their spot above Barcelona in Group D, needing just a point or a narrow defeat.
