Chelsea 2-1 Real Madrid: Player ratings as Blues book their place in UWCL knockouts

Chelsea have booked their place in the Champions League knockouts with a game to spare after beating Real Madrid 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Guro Reiten's second half penalty broke the deadlock to gave Chelsea the lead in the 62nd minute. Real Madrid responded well with substitute Athenea del Castillo netting in the 69th minute. But, less than 60 seconds later, skipper Erin Cuthbert foiled Madrid's defence, forcing goalkeeper Mylene Chavas to palm the ball into her own net to ultimately giving the Blues the win.

Manager Emma Hayes made two changes to the side that thrashed Manchester United 3-1 in the WSL over the weekend with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton retaining her starting spot, and making her Champions League debut in the process.

The victory ensures Chelsea will be in the quarter-final draw after matchday six at the end of the month.

How the game unfolded

Chelsea's first real dangerous moment of the evening came from Fran Kirby who had the ball on the edge of the box and slotted through to Cuthbert, but her shot is well read and stopped by Chavas.

Madrid had luck on their side when prolific goalscorer and third place Best FIFA Women's Player Linda Caicedo was permitted to continue after taking a hefty challenge and looking in some degree of pain. The visitors were lightning-quick on the counter-attack, exploiting the tired legs in hosts legs, playing their second of three games in seven days.

Both sides were battling for control and chances for much of the second half. Cuthbert and Kirby were using the link-up well, proving to be the Blues' main two attacking threats but each squandered chances as Chelsea, normally so strong in the wide areas, were uncharacteristically poor as capitalising on those movements.

At the hour mark, the tie really came alive. In the 62nd minute, Charles was brought down by a hefty challenge from Hayley Raso, with Reiten expertly converted the penalty into the bottom right corner.

Madrid rebounded well as seven minutes later, substitute Del Castillo was able to net Hampton's rebounded save, levelling the score. But in the blink of an eye, Cuthbert's tenacity was no match for Chavas who palmed the ball into her own net one minute later, sealing Chelsea's win.

Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Hannah Hampton - 8/10 - A lovely European debut for Hampton.

RB: Ashley Lawrence - 6/10 - Did well to get forward and make the visting defence split to try and handle the extra attack.

CB: Jess Carter - 6/10 - Lack of pace caused issues for the Lionesses who struggled to track back.

CB: Kadeisha Buchanan - 6/10 - Made some risky tackles but played a big role limiting Madrid's threats.

LB: Niamh Charles - 6/10 - Targeted by the Madrid wingers because she was the weaker full-back and therefore struggled to get forward.

CM: Erin Cuthbert (c) - 8/10 - Was unable to convert her chances but the impact and leadership showed was immense.

CM: Melanie Leupolz - 7/10 - Important interferences but lost the ball too regularly in dangerous areas allowing Madrid to counter.

RW: Johnna Rytting Kaneryd - 7/10 - Her pace was key at taking Madrid by surprise and driving attacks.

AM: Fran Kirby - 7/10 - Troubled the visiting defence a lot but could not convert her chances.

LW: Guro Reiten - 7/10 - Her assists were once against supreme but was let down by a lack of end product. Kept her nerve from 12 yards.

ST: Mia Fishel - 5/10 - Unable to capitalise on chances.

Substitutes

SUB: Lauren James (46' for Fishel) - 6/10.

SUB: Aggie Beever-Jones (75' for Rytting Kaneryd) - 7/10.

SUB: Sjoeke Nusken (75' for Kirby) - 7/10.

Unused subs: Musovic (GK), Ingle, Perisset, Mjelde, Cankovic.

Manager

Emma Hayes - 8/10 - Made the right calls and stragetically outclassed Real Madrid.

Real Madrid player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Mylene Chavas - 5/10 - Made some important saves to deny the hosts but made a vital mistake for Chelsea's second goal.

RB: Kenti Robles - 6/10 - Struggled against the creativity of Chelsea's wingers and front line but was grew into the game.

CB: Ivana Andres - 6/10 - Read the game well and tracked Chelsea's attackers well.

CB: Kathellen - 6/10 - The weaker of the two centre halves but did well to make some important blocks.

LB: Sofie Svava - 7/10 - Was able to get up the pitch to provide an alternative attacking option.

CM: Teresa Abelleira - 6/10 - Positive and controlled from the Spaniard.

CM: Claudia Zornoza - 7/10 - Controlled the pace in the middle well and gave Leupolz a challenge.

RW: Hayley Raso - 5/10 - Did well but gave away a poor penalty and could not use the counter well enough.

AM: Linda Caicedo - 6/10 - Such a key talent in a sea of injuries in the Madrid team but was unable to get infront of the Chelsea defence.

LW: Maite Oroz - 6/10 - Troubled Chlsea at times but was unable to make it count.

ST: Caroline Moller - 6/10 - Made some good runs but was unable to convert goal-wards.

Substitutes

SUB: Athenea del Castillo (45' for Caicedo) - 8/10.

SUB: Freja Oloffson (70 ' for Abelleira) - 6/10.

SUB: Naomie Feller (70 ' for Moller) - 6/10.

SUB: Olaya Robles (86' for Rodriquez) - N/A.

SUB: Oihane Hernandez (86 ' for Oroz)- N/A.

Unused subs: Misa (GK), Tellez (GK), Lopez, Comendador.

Manager

Alberto Toril - 5/10 - Did well to limit Chelsea's threat but was unable to make changes to adapt his side due to an injury crisis.

Player of the match: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)

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