Chelsea was one of the favorites for both the WSL and the UEFA Women’s Champions League heading into the 23/24 season, and the early signs are positive for the West London club. Earlier this week, they defeated Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge before heading North of the city to emerge victorious against local rivals Arsenal.
Manager Sonia Bompastor led Chelsea to a historic win at the Emirates – their first ever, in the WSL. It was a 2-1 victory with the game providing plenty of action, including a brilliant (some would say lucky) overhead kick by Mayra Ramirez.
For Chelse’s second goal, Lauren James dribbled past the Arsenal defenders easily and found Sandy Baltimore – who was left completely alone. She scored a simple header to give the Blues a 2-0 lead before the 20th minute.
Mayra with an overhead kick at The Emirates. 💥🤯#CFCW pic.twitter.com/tDsl9igPBm
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) October 12, 2024
Right before the half-time whistle, Caitlin Foord pulled one back for Arsenal, making it 2-1. This gave them much-needed impetus, and Arsenal looked better in the second half. Stina Blackstenius hit the crossbar after a volley from a freekick, and in the game’s dying moments, 21-year-old Aggie Beever-Jones came agonizingly close to leveling the score.
Chelsea’s determination, however, helped them see the game through – shades of their victory over Real Madrid in midweek.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid Femenino traveled to London to play Chelsea in front of a sizeable crowd on what was a rainy night. Right of the beat, Chelsea scored (thanks to an own-goal from Sheila Garcia). Pretty soon, a penalty made the scores 2-0.
However, Caroline Weir—who spent the last one year recovering from an ACL injury—made it 2-1 before half-time. And to mirror the Arsenal game, the second half was more even than the first.
🔝Back to the Top, where we belong pic.twitter.com/8SLGrgk8wA
— Chelsea women team (@CFC__Women) October 12, 2024
Mayra Ramirez scored to make it 3-1 and it looked all but over for the visitors, but they kept pushing, before ultimately getting a goal thanks to Ramirez’s young compatriot— Linda Caicedo.
Real Madrid kept pushing after that goal in the 83rd minute, but fell just short, handing Chelsea three points in matchday one of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Two difficult matches for the Blues in one week, but they came out on top in both.
