Chelsea Women kicked off their UEFA Women's Champions League campaign with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Paris FC at a rain-swept Stamford Bridge, but the scoreline barely tells the full story of a match that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
First-Half Dominance Sets the Stage
The Blues started with characteristic intensity, controlling possession and creating numerous early chances. Lauren James, in scintillating form, broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with a clinical finish that left the Paris FC goalkeeper rooted to the spot. The England international's technical brilliance was on full display throughout the opening half.
Chelsea's pressure continued to mount, and their persistence paid off just before halftime when Sam Kerr doubled the advantage. The Australian striker demonstrated her predatory instincts with a perfectly timed header from a precision cross, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Paris FC Fight Back in Tense Second Half
The visitors emerged from the break transformed, showing the quality that saw them qualify for the group stages. Paris FC began to dominate midfield battles and test Chelsea's defensive resilience. Their breakthrough came in the 68th minute when a defensive lapse allowed them to pull one back, setting up a nervy finale.
Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton produced two crucial saves in the dying minutes to preserve the lead, including a spectacular stop in added time that ensured all three points remained in West London.
Post-Match Reactions and Implications
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes acknowledged the challenge in her post-match comments: "We made it difficult for ourselves in the second half, but the important thing is we got the win. There's plenty to work on, but I'm proud of the character the girls showed."
The victory gives Chelsea a perfect start in what promises to be a competitive Group D, though the performance highlighted areas requiring attention ahead of their next European fixture.
