Chelsea registered a convincing 3-0 win over Celtic to seal early qualification to the knockout rounds of the Girls’s Champions League and assure the Hoops’ exit from the competitors.
The hosts acquired off to a dream begin when Lucy Bronze hammered house on the volley inside 65 seconds, earlier than Guro Reiten teased a cross for Wieke Kaptein to move her first European purpose.
The sport was vulnerable to operating away from Celtic earlier than reaching midway, however the Scottish facet did nicely to regain composure and resist any additional Chelsea advances.
Powerhouse Mayra Ramirez was launched on the break and swiftly made her presence felt, asking additional questions of Celtic’s resolve, earlier than Bronze gained a stoppage-time penalty to seal the deal – despatched expertly by substitute Eve Perisset.
And, to cap a passable night time’s work, there was nonetheless time for 17-year-old Lola Brown to make her senior debut.
The win, an ideal rehearsal for Sunday’s WSL assembly with Manchester United, takes Sonia Bompastor’s immaculate file to 11 wins from 11. Chelsea must wait till February to study their quarter-final opponents however are assured to progress from Group B alongside Actual Madrid with two video games to spare.
Bompastor: Nice we might rotate squad forward of Man Utd recreation
Chelsea Girls head coach Sonia Bompastor talking at her post-match press convention:
“[I’m] really happy. I told the players before the game tonight that it was an opportunity for us to qualify for the quarter-finals, and we did that.
“We additionally stay high of the desk, which can also be one thing we wish to be certain that we obtain.
“It’s great news that we were able to rotate the squad and give opportunities to some players to play a Champions League game again. We could rest some players thinking about the Manchester United game [on Sunday].
“As a membership, it is all the time necessary to ensure after 4 video games you may have this chance to qualify. That is good.
“Even if you saw last week and tonight, not everything was perfect in the performance, but in the result, we are in a good place. It’s good because it brings a lot of confidence and it’s important for us to continue our run. So, lots of positives.”
Sadiku: I am excited for what we have now in entrance of us
Celtic Girls supervisor Elena Sadiku stated at her post-match press convention:
“It says a lot about the team I have. We have quality players and the players are learning that as a team we can compete with Chelsea and Real Madrid.
“I’ve seen them harm different groups greater than they’ve harm us. You possibly can see how good they’ve been in opposition to high gamers. There are star gamers in each place for them.
“We are learning and growing. We are growing in confidence. There are many things we can also improve. This experience is going to be a great one for us in the future.
“After we sit down and undergo what we have achieved and finished, I really feel proud – but additionally have the starvation to win the league once more, be extra profitable and play within the Champions League once more.
“I’m excited for what we have in front of us. This is the start of something new. We want Celtic to be a team people know about in women’s football.”
What’s subsequent?
Chelsea now face a fast turnaround earlier than they’re again in motion within the WSL, as they host Manchester United at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, reside on Sky Sports activities.
Bompastor’s facet will likely be aiming to make it eight wins from eight to increase their two-point hole on Manchester Metropolis in second.