Macario the hero as Chelsea top Champions League group with perfect record

Catarina Macario came off the bench to score two penalties as Chelsea came from behind to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 and win Group B in the Women’s Champions League.

Having failed to win for the first time under Sonia Bompastor against Leicester City in the Women’s Super League on Saturday, Chelsea were on course for their first defeat under the former Lyon coach when they fell behind after seven minutes.

Scotland’s Caroline Weir saw her shot deflect in off Lucy Bronze, giving Madrid hope of finishing level with the Blues on 15 points, at which point their head-to-head record would have split the sides.

Bompastor responded by introducing Macario for the ineffective Mayra Ramirez at half-time and was almost rewarded immediately as the substitute saw a potential leveller disallowed for offside.

Macario was then brought down by Spain’s 2023 World Cup final hero Olga Carmona for her first penalty in the 51st minute, which she tucked home to make it 1-1.

Things got worse for Carmona five minutes later as she handled Wieke Kaptein’s flick, allowing Macario to blast her second spot-kick high into the roof of the net.

Chelsea’s sixth win in six Champions League games ensures they qualify for the quarter-finals as Group B victors. They will face a group runner-up in the last eight in March.

Chelsea secure top spot in Group B, while Twente finish with a comfortable home win. #UWCL pic.twitter.com/clttECw8oq

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) December 17, 2024

Elsewhere in Group B, Celtic ended their campaign with zero points as they were beaten 3-0 by Twente in the Netherlands.

Kayleigh van Dooren put the hosts ahead after 20 minutes, with own goals from Lisa Rodgers and Natalie Ross completing the scoring before half-time as third-placed Twente bowed out with a win.