Chelsea kicked off their Women’s Champions League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, while eight-time champions Lyon cruised to a 3-0 win over debutants Galatasaray.
The match started in spectacular fashion for Chelsea, with Sjoeke Nuesken scoring an own goal just two minutes in. Nuesken’s attempt to redirect a cross from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd accidentally found the net, giving the English champions an early lead. Chelsea extended their advantage shortly before the half-hour mark when Guro Reiten converted a penalty after Maria Mendez fouled Nuesken in the box.
Real Madrid pulled one back just before halftime, as Alba Redondo capitalized on a chaotic sequence in the Chelsea box, showcasing her composure with a well-placed finish after a set-up from Olga Carmona.
In the second half, Mayra Ramirez restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion with a looping header over Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez. Although Linda Caicedo managed to score a late goal for the visitors, Chelsea held firm to secure the win.
“Football is about winning games, and today we won even though we weren’t at our best. We are going to work from here,” remarked Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who was named player of the match.
In another Group B clash, Dutch club Twente defeated Celtic 2-0 in Scotland, thanks to a brace from Kayleigh van Dooren.
Meanwhile, Lyon showcased their strength with a dominant 3-0 victory against Galatasaray at home. Kadidiatou Diani shone with a pair of headers, complemented by a third from Vanessa Gilles. Diani opened the scoring in the 34th minute, nodding in a cross from Tabitha Chawinga. Gilles added a second just before halftime, converting another Chawinga assist. Diani rounded off the scoring in the 77th minute, guiding a header inside the far post after receiving a well-placed cross from Amel Majri.
“They had a lot of fight, and it’s never easy to combat that, but that’s football and that’s the Champions League. We’re so happy to come away with the win,” Lyon defender Gilles commented.
In the Italian capital, AS Roma secured a 1-0 upset over two-time champions Wolfsburg, with a penalty converted by new captain Manuela Giugliano in the 14th minute. Despite Wolfsburg striking the woodwork twice in the second half, Roma held on for the victory, placing them second in Group A, just behind Lyon on goal difference.
Looking ahead, Arsenal will face Bayern Munich on Wednesday, while reigning champions Barcelona begin their title defense against Manchester City.
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