Sonia Bompastor was made to sweat for her maiden UEFA Women’s Champions League victory as Chelsea boss, the Women’s Super League side winning 3-2 against Real Madrid at a sodden Stamford Bridge.
Bompastor, who twice won the UWCL trophy as a player before leading Lyon to European glory as manager in 2021, continued her perfect start as Chelsea boss with a third consecutive win.
Sjoeke Nusken kicked off the scoring before Guro Reiten netted a penalty to establish a two-goal cushion. Alba Redondo pegged Chelsea back before half-time, but Mayra Ramirez was on hand to restore the comfortable lead shortly after the break.
Real substitute Linda Caicedo forced a grand-stand finish, tapping home six minutes from time to cut Chelsea’s lead back to the solitary goal, but Chelsea held on to ensure a winning start to their European endeavour.
Chelsea – who only named seven substitutes due to a number of key absences – had to deal with the late withdrawal of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, with DAZN citing illness for the goalkeeper ahead of the match – but did not let the turbulent build-up disrupt their flow as they took the lead within two minutes.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd worked a large pocket of space on the right, before flashing an irresistible ball into the box that was turned in by Nusken.
Reiten netted from the spot on 27 minutes after Lucy Bronze was hauled down in the area, but the hosts’ lead was cut in half six minutes before the break when Alba Redondo found time and space to eventually squirm an effort under Zecira Musovic.
And Ramirez put Chelsea one step closer to victory eight minutes after the interval, looping a headed effort over Misa from Lauren James’ spectacular cross.
Substitute Caicedo tapped home six minutes from time to make for a nervy finish, but Bompastor’s side held on to take all three points.
The clash at Stamford Bridge capped off the opening day of the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League, with more European action on Wednesday, as holders Barcelona face a trip to Manchester City live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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