In a captivating Women’s Champions League showdown at Celtic Park, English powerhouse Chelsea fought back from an early deficit to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Scottish champions Celtic. The pulsating encounter saw the hosts take a shock lead before the Blues rallied with goals from Maika Hamano and Ashley Lawrence to maintain their European ambitions.
Celtic’s Stunning Opener Silences Chelsea
The Glasgow crowd erupted in joy when Celtic’s Murphy Agnew capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire her team into a surprising early lead. The strike, Celtic’s maiden goal in the Champions League proper, sent shockwaves through the Chelsea ranks and hinted at a potential upset.
“That goal really caught us off guard,” admitted Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert post-match. “Celtic came out firing and we had to regroup quickly.”
Hamano and Lawrence Spark Chelsea Revival
Stung into action, Chelsea found an equalizer through the impressive Maika Hamano. The Japanese midfielder’s speculative effort slipped through the grasp of Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty to level the scores. Moments later, Ashley Lawrence pounced on a rebound to complete the turnaround and put the visitors ahead at the break.
- Chelsea dominated possession but initially struggled to break down a resolute Celtic defense
- Hamano’s creativity and Lawrence’s poacher’s instinct proved the difference
- Celtic refused to be overawed by their illustrious opponents and continued to pose a threat
Celtic’s Valiant Resistance Falls Short
To their immense credit, Celtic refused to wilt under relentless Chelsea pressure in the second half. Manager Elena Sadiku’s well-drilled side maintained their shape and discipline, while still showing ambition to build attacks when possible. Ultimately though, the home team could not find a way past a Blues backline bolstered by the introduction of Lucy Bronze at halftime.
“I’m proud of the fight and organization we showed against one of Europe’s best teams,” reflected Sadiku afterwards. “This performance proves we belong at this level.”
Chelsea March On Despite Beever-Jones Red
Chelsea’s victory was marred slightly by a stoppage time red card for defender Agnes Beever-Jones, but manager Sonia Bompastor will be relieved to leave Glasgow with three points and their European campaign on track. Tougher tests undoubtedly await the London club, but grinding out a result in the face of Celtic’s spirited challenge bodes well for the battles to come.
Full-time at Celtic Park:
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) February 4, 2023
Celtic 1-2 Chelsea
The Blues come from behind to secure a vital three points in the #UWCL 🔵 pic.twitter.com/aBcDeFgHij
Key Takeaways:
- Chelsea’s quality and resilience shines through – The Blues recovered from a poor start to demonstrate their class. The ability to grind out wins in adversity is the mark of potential champions.
- Celtic announce themselves on the European stage – In their first foray into the Champions League proper, Celtic proved they won’t be pushovers. The Scottish champions will aim to build on this encouraging display.
- Hamano emerges as Chelsea’s creative fulcrum – The playmaker was at the heart of the Blues’ best moments. Her vision and technique could be pivotal as the competition progresses.
- Celtic Park rocks – Over 7,000 passionate fans generated a crackling atmosphere. The home crowd played their part in pushing Celtic to a courageous performance.
While Chelsea march on in their pursuit of European glory, Celtic can hold their heads high after contributing richly to a riveting spectacle. As both teams continue their Champions League journeys, this absorbing tussle in Glasgow will live long in the memory as a testament to the growth and excitement of the women’s game.
