With progression to the knockout stages of the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Champions League already secured, Emma Hayes’ Chelsea would be looking to progress as group winners by securing three points at Stade Charléty on Tuesday.
PFC: Nnadozie; Bogaert, Greboval, Hocine, Soyer; Corboz, Le Mouël; Dufour, Thiney, Matéo; Bourdieu
CHE: Mušović; Périsset, Mjelde, Buchanan, Lawrence; Ingle, Nüsken; Beever-Jones, Čanković, Kirby; Fishel
The Blues wasted no time in finding their footing in Paris on Tuesday evening, firing themselves into an early lead at Stade Charléty when Fran Kirby slammed home a headed effort from Jelena Čanković’s cross.
Despite looking less than convincing defensively after making nine changes from the side that started in the Barclays Women’s Super League against Brighton last time out, Chelsea were able to double their lead before the break. Čanković was the provider once again, with Mia Fishel nodding past Chiamaka Nnadozie this time.
Embed from Getty ImagesParis FC’s hopes of progression were seemingly over, but their spirit did not waver as they sought to reduce the deficit – but squandered opportunities would come back to bite them, most notably as Julie Defour blazed her shot over the woodwork from close range.
Chelsea’s goalscoring exploits were far from over though, with Guro Reiten finding her way onto the scoresheet as she capitalised on a rare mistake from Nigeria’s Nnadozie just minutes before Maren Mjelde netted her first Chelsea goal since a memorable penalty against Lyon in last season’s edition of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Chelsea await to find out their quarterfinal opponents, with the draw scheduled to take place next Tuesday. Emma Hayes’ side cannot face Barcelona or Lyon, as the group winners are seeded for the next stage of the tournament.
