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Chelsea The group stage is over Women’s Champions League After coming back from a goal down to defeat with a 100 percent record Real Madrid 2-1 in Spain.
Scotland International Carolyn Weir An early lead gave the home side as they looked to leapfrog their opponents to top Group B, but an inspired half-time substitution turned the tide in Chelsea’s favour.
Head coach Sonia Bombaster brought on Catarina Macario at the interval and the United States international had a goal disallowed for offside before converting two penalties in the space of five minutes, both conceded by Olga Carmona.
Both teams have already secured their place in the quarter-finals, but victory at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium ensures Chelsea can avoid another group winner in the last eight.
The home side started the better and the dominant Weir saw her long-range effort comfortably saved by Hannah Hampton in the second minute.
Hampton were less convincing just five minutes later but with Real deservedly taking the lead, the Chelsea goalkeeper got his left hand to Weir’s well-struck shot but only succeeded in pushing it over his head and into the corner of the net.
At the other end, Hampton’s opposite number Maria Misa Guro tipped over a dangerous curling effort from the edge of the area from Reiten, before Weir’s excellent footwork eluded two Chelsea defenders and saw Carmona curl a left-footed shot narrowly wide.
Reiten was forced off through injury shortly afterwards, but it was a half-time substitution that proved the bombastic turning point as Macario was brought on for Mayra Ramirez.
Seconds after the restart Macario had a goal ruled out for offside and 25-year-old Carmona was then brought down to give the visitors a golden chance to equalise.
Macario made no mistake from 12 yards and drilled a similar spot-kick just five minutes later after the unfortunate Carmona had been penalized for handball.
Real pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages but fired their best chance well over the bar after being set up by Naomi Fella’s superb header.
