Chelsea secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, continuing their perfect start to the season. Goals from Lucy Bronze, Wieke Kaptein, and Ève Périsset ensured the team maintained their remarkable winning streak, which now stands at 11 consecutive matches across all competitions.
The home side wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just 65 seconds into the match, Lucy Bronze volleyed the ball past Celtic’s goalkeeper, Kelsey Daugherty, setting the tone for the evening. This goal marked another milestone for Bronze, who has now scored for four different teams in the Women’s Champions League. Chelsea’s early strike was a stark contrast to their previous encounter with Celtic, where they had conceded early. This time, they were determined to control proceedings from the outset.
Throughout the first half, Chelsea’s attacking combinations, particularly the partnership between Bronze and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd down the right flank, caused constant problems for Celtic’s defense. Despite creating several opportunities, Chelsea’s finishing was occasionally wayward, and Celtic’s defense showed moments of resilience. Nevertheless, Chelsea’s relentless pressure paid off again before halftime when Wieke Kaptein extended the lead with a well-placed looping header following a cleverly executed corner.
The second half saw Chelsea make impactful substitutions. Forward Mayra Ramírez came on and immediately added energy to the attack, stretching a Celtic defense that was visibly tiring. Erin Cuthbert’s introduction added further intensity, though her arrival was met with jeers from Celtic’s traveling supporters due to her past ties with Rangers.
Celtic, needing a win to keep their hopes alive in the competition, struggled to find a way back into the game. Their efforts to build momentum were repeatedly thwarted by Chelsea’s organized defense and midfield dominance. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor’s tactical rotations have been a hallmark of the team’s success this season, ensuring fresh legs and opportunities for a wide range of players. This approach was evident in this fixture as Chelsea made six changes to the lineup that defeated Manchester City a few days earlier.
In the final minutes of the match, Chelsea gave a memorable debut to 17-year-old academy graduate Lola Brown, who recently signed her first professional contract. Her introduction underscored the club’s commitment to developing young talent and provided a heartwarming moment for fans.
The game concluded emphatically with a last-minute penalty converted by Ève Périsset, adding a flourish to an already commanding performance. The victory not only secured Chelsea’s progression to the knockout stages with two group games to spare but also highlighted their depth and consistency.
For Celtic, the loss marked the end of their debut run in the Champions League group stages. Despite moments of resistance, they were outclassed by a Chelsea side that is setting the standard in women’s football this season. As Celtic bows out of the competition, Chelsea continues to march forward, eyeing more silverware in what has already been a remarkable campaign.
