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Chelsea cruised into the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League with an impressive 3-0 victory over Celtic, clinching their spot with two matches left to play in the group stage.
The Blues entered the match fully aware that securing just a single point would guarantee them a top-two finish in Group B, particularly after FC Twente fell to Real Madrid in an earlier fixture.
This win marked Chelsea’s continuation of their flawless performance this season, amassing an unbeaten record of 11 wins out of 11, highlighted by goals from Lucy Bronze, Wieke Kaptein, and a late penalty converted by Eve Perisset.
Bompastor had emphasized the need for a quick start, and Chelsea responded emphatically, with Bronze finding the net just 65 seconds into the match.
From a short corner executed by Catarina Macario, the ball was delivered deep, allowing Bronze to skillfully volley it into the back of the net at the far post.
Celtic keeper Kelsey Daugherty did get a hand to the shot, but unfortunately for her, it was not enough to deny the goal.
It was a disastrous beginning for the Scottish champions, who were still seeking their first point in what was their inaugural group stage appearance.
Though they managed to regain some composure and string together a few sequences of possession, Celtic failed to create any significant goal-scoring opportunities.
Chelsea struck again from another corner routine after 25 minutes, showcasing their well-practiced set-piece strategy.
This time, the ball found Guro Reiten, whose tempting delivery into the box was met by a powerful header from Dutch teenager Kaptein, further extending Chelsea’s lead.
Bompastor, who rotated her squad with six changes from the lineup that earned a 2-0 victory against Manchester City just days earlier, took advantage of the scoreboard to refresh her side during the half-time break, bringing in the dynamic Colombia forward Mayra Ramirez for Macario, who is still regaining her fitness.
Chelsea continued to press forward, with Kaptein and Maelys Mpome both seeing their long-range shots narrowly miss the target, while Reiten’s effort was heroically cleared off the line by Kelly Clark.
Kaptein had a prime opportunity to score another when she headed the ball from a cross by Bronze but unfortunately directed it straight at Daugherty.
Millie Bright had her goal-bound header thwarted by another corner, while Reiten’s fierce attempt was bravely blocked by Emma Lawton.
Ramirez was minutes away from adding a third goal when she attempted to glance in a precise cross from Ashley Lawrence at the near post, but instead, the ball sailed across the goal and out of play.
As the match approached its conclusion, 17-year-old Lola Brown made her senior debut, coming on as a substitute—a monumental moment for the young player.
Just when it seemed Chelsea might not find the net again, a moment of drama unfolded in stoppage time as Bronze embarked on a dazzling run into the box, only for Celtic’s Shannon McGregor to block her cross with an arm. This led to Perisset stepping up to convert the resulting penalty, bringing the score to 3-0 and adding a polished layer to an ultimately satisfying evening for Chelsea.
PA
How do you foresee Chelsea Women adjusting their strategy as they face tougher opponents in the later rounds of the Champions League?
**Interview with Emma Smith, Football Analyst, on Chelsea Women’s Recent Success in the Champions League**
**Interviewer**: Emma, thanks for joining us today. Chelsea Women have just secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Celtic to progress to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League. What are your thoughts on their performance?
**Emma Smith**: Thank you for having me! Chelsea’s performance was nothing short of impressive. They started the match phenomenally, scoring just 65 seconds in. Lucy Bronze’s early goal set the tone for the game, reflecting the team’s confidence and preparation. It’s clear that they came into this match with a strategy, especially after knowing that a point would guarantee their progression.
**Interviewer**: That quick goal must have taken the wind out of Celtic’s sails. How do you think it affected their game plan?
**Emma Smith**: Absolutely. Scoring early can be game-changing, and for Celtic, it was particularly tough as they were still looking for their first point in their inaugural Champions League group stage. That early goal likely rattled them and made it difficult for them to stick to their game plan. Though they managed to recover briefly, they struggled to create clear chances later on.
**Interviewer**: Chelsea has now racked up an unbeaten record of 11 wins this season. What do you think has been the key to their success?
**Emma Smith**: Their success can be attributed to several factors. First, they have a deep squad with players who possess significant talent and experience. Their set-piece strategy, as seen in this match with another goal from a corner routine, is also well-executed and shows their training effectiveness. Moreover, their attacking versatility, with contributions from players like Wieke Kaptein and Eve Perisset, means they can score from various positions and circumstances.
**Interviewer**: Chelsea’s manager has emphasized the importance of starting strong. Do you think they can maintain this momentum as they move deeper into the tournament?
**Emma Smith**: Maintaining momentum is crucial in tournaments like this. Given their unbeaten streak, they clearly have that winning mentality. However, as they face tougher opponents in later rounds, they will need to adapt and possibly evolve their tactics. Consistency in performance will be key, and if they can keep their current form, they certainly have the potential to go far in this competition.
**Interviewer**: As they look ahead, what are some areas you think Chelsea might need to focus on?
**Emma Smith**: While their attacking play is strong, I think they need to ensure that they maintain defensive solidity as they progress. Also, minimizing lapses in concentration after scoring will be important. The Champions League is unforgiving, and they’ll have to stay sharp for the full 90 minutes, especially against teams that can capitalize on even the slightest mistake.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Emma, for your insights on Chelsea Women’s journey in the Champions League!
**Emma Smith**: My pleasure! I’m excited to see how they continue to perform this season.
