Chelsea extended their incredible run of 14 straight victories in all competitions with an emphatic 6-1 win over Twente in the Women’s Champions League at Stamford Bridge. The result ensured the Blues maintained their position at the top of Group B, with qualification to the quarter-finals already secured. Their dominant performance saw six different players score, demonstrating the depth and versatility of their squad.
From the very beginning, Chelsea took control of the match. It only took two minutes for them to break the deadlock, as a well-executed move saw Mayra Ramírez and Catarina Macario combine to create the first goal. Macario’s brilliant lobbed shot sailed over Twente’s goalkeeper, Olivia Clark, putting Chelsea in the driving seat early. Chelsea continued to dominate possession, showing their attacking prowess but failed to capitalize on several chances, leaving the door slightly ajar for Twente.
Twente’s brief opportunity came when Chelsea’s Maika Hamano brought down Twente’s midfielder, Maud van Dooren, inside the penalty area. Van Dooren confidently converted the spot-kick to equalize, giving the underdogs a brief moment of hope. However, Chelsea quickly restored their advantage, as Oriane Jean-François scored her first goal for the club. She danced past several Twente defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the net, giving Chelsea a 2-1 lead.
The Blues’ relentless pressure continued, and they soon added a third. Ramírez scored one of the goals of the night, sending a spectacular 40-yard shot soaring into the net, catching the goalkeeper off guard. The stunning strike was a perfect example of Chelsea’s attacking firepower, and it left Twente with little chance of mounting a comeback. Erin Cuthbert then made it 4-1 on her 50th Women’s Champions League appearance, applying a close-range finish to a well-crafted Chelsea move.
The second half began with Chelsea showing no signs of slowing down. A flurry of substitutions injected fresh energy into the team, and just minutes after coming on, Sjoeke Nüsken added her name to the scoresheet with a composed finish. It was clear that Chelsea were in complete control, and the result was never in doubt. The Blues maintained their attacking intensity, dominating the game from start to finish.
A late strike from Eve Périsset completed the rout, rounding off a comprehensive 6-1 victory for Chelsea. Périsset’s goal was a fitting conclusion to a match in which Chelsea had been utterly dominant, showcasing their attacking depth and squad rotation.
With Real Madrid securing a win over Celtic in the other group fixture, the race for the top spot in Group B remains tight. Chelsea will face Real Madrid in their final match, with the winner of the group set to be decided when the two sides meet at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. Chelsea’s focus will now shift to that crucial encounter, with the ambition of finishing at the top of the table firmly in their sights.
Manager Sonia Bompastor praised her team for their performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and ambition as they aim to finish top of the group. She noted that the victory over Twente was a crucial step in achieving that goal. With a deep squad and a wealth of talent across the team, Chelsea have shown their ability to rotate effectively and still maintain a high level of performance, something that will serve them well in the knockout stages of the competition.
Twente, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a difficult night in London. Despite the heavy defeat, they showed moments of promise, especially in the first half when they briefly managed to threaten Chelsea’s defense. However, the gap in quality and experience was evident as Chelsea ran riot in the second half, and Twente were unable to cope with their relentless pressure.
Overall, Chelsea’s victory reinforced their status as one of the top teams in European women’s football, with an exciting showdown against Real Madrid to come. The Blues will be confident of finishing the group stage on a high note, as they continue their pursuit of European glory.
