Kerr, Carpenter on song in first leg of UEFA Women's Champions League Round of 16

A dramatic night at Kingsmeadow and a player of the match performance in Lyon, here’s how the Westfield Matildas in UEFA Women’s Champions League action went.

Arguably the tie of the round, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid did not disappoint in the first leg. The Blues were down a player early with Sophie Ingle being sent off for a poor challenge in the box.

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The heroine of the evening was about to emerge with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger making her first penalty save to deny Deyna Castellanos.

The Chelsea attack was at full strength with the combinations between Westfield Matilda Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, Beth England, and Pernille Harder probing the Atleti defence and creating plenty of chances.

Chelsea celebrate Fran Kirby goal
Photo via chelseafc.com

Kerr earned her side a penalty 10 minutes into the second half after latching onto a ball played out from defence and fearlessly running at the Atletico backline. Maren Mjelde stepped up to the spot and beat Hedvig Lindahl.

The Australian captain would also play a role in Chelsea’s second goal. Drifting out on the right side of the box, Kerr received an inch perfect pass from Harder. She then squared the ball across the top of the box for Kirby to strike home.

 

With around 12 minutes to play, the Spanish side had a chance to make it a grandstand finish after Berger clumsily collected Ludmila in the area. But the German ‘keeper came up big once again, saving the initial shot before Erin Cuthbert cleared the rebound.

Emma Hayes’ side travel to Italy for the return leg due to COVID-19 travel restrictions between the UK and Spain. 

Olympique Lyonnais were too strong at home for Brøndby, taking a 2-0 win into the second leg in Denmark.

Westfield Matilda Ellie Carpenter was voted the player of the match by fans, with coach Jean-Luc Vasseur praising her efforts down the right hand flank.


Brøndby had the best chance of the opening moments with Nanna Christiansen hitting the crossbar. At the half an hour mark, Lyon found the opener.

A cross into the box was only partially cleared and found its way out to the other side of the area with Amel Majri. This time the cross found Nikita Parris who headed home past the Brøndby ‘keeper.

Lyon continued to attack in the second half but lacked that final, killer touch. The team had to wait until injury time to extend their lead.

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Carpenter was hanging around in her attacking box and challenged for a header which fell in the direction of Janice Cayman. Her square ball across the face of goal was tapped in by Melvine Malard.

Karly Roestbakken’s LSK had a difficult task against last year’s finalists VfL Wolfsburg. The German side came away with a 2-0 win at home. Roestbakken did not feature in the squad.