Chelsea opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Sjoeke Nusken and Guro Reiten put the Blues 2-0 up, only for Alba Redondo to pull a goal back for the visitors before the break.
Mayra Ramirez, who played for Spanish side Levante between 2022 and 2024, scored Chelsea’s third and although Linda Caicedo came off the bench to make it 3-2 late on, Madrid slipped to a first defeat of the season.
Sonia Bompastor’s side went into the game on a high following a 7-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Women’s Super League.
Chelsea penned Real Madrid in their own half from the off, throwing numbers forward and winning a corner from which they managed to take the lead after two minutes.
After a Madrid defender nodded away Reiten’s initial delivery, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd drove down the right and delivered a cross which was nodded in by Nusken.
Full-back Sandy Baltimore and Reiten dominated the left-hand side and they combined to work the ball into the area where they won a penalty.
Lucy Bronze attempted to control a bouncing ball but a clumsy clearance from a Madrid defender caught the right-back instead of the ball and referee Ivana Martincic pointed to the spot.
It was Reiten who stepped up, and the Norwegian winger side-footed her effort into the bottom corner.
The Spanish side were far from out of the match, though, and they pounced on some poor defending to pull a goal back.
The ball was played into the box and after Baltimore failed to clear her lines, the loose ball fell to Redondo who smashed her close-range effort through the legs of Zecira Musovic.
The Blues refused to sit back and protect their lead and came out for the second half intent to grab a third.
It arrived in the 53rd minute when Lauren James drifted away from her central position to the right and whipped in a cross for Ramirez to nod her effort over the head of Misa and into the net.
Nusken was central to Chelsea’s success on the night. The versatile German was positioned in the heart of midfield and her quality touch, weight of pass and instinct to win the ball high up the field explained why the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession.
Caicedo came off the bench to score Real Madrid’s second and set up a nervy finish, but Chelsea held on for the victory after four added minutes.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
