Chelsea vs Real Madrid LIVE: Women’s Champions League latest score and goal updates from Stamford Bridge
Chelsea host Real Madrid on the opening night of the Women’s Champions League as Sonia Bompastor takes charge at Stamford Bridge for the first time.
The Champions League was the one trophy that eluded Chelsea during Emma Hayes’ hugely successful spell, with the Blues reaching the semi-finals in the last two years and the final in 2021. Unable to take the final step, Chelsea have turned to a proven winner in Bompastor, a Champions League winner as both player and coach with Lyon.
A home tie against Spanish giants Real Madrid is her biggest night as Chelsea boss so far, following wins against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the WSL. Chelsea’s weekend fixture against Manchester United was postponed, leaving the Blues without a match in 10 days since their 7-0 victory thrashing of Palace at Selhurst Park.
Follow updates from Chelsea vs Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League in tonight’s live blog, below
Chelsea vs Real Madrid LIVE: Latest Women’s Champions League updates
Chelsea host Real Madrid in Women’s Champions League
Fixture taking place at Stamford Bridge | Match is live on DAZN
2’ GOAL! Chelsea make fast start as Nusken’s header deflects in (1-0)
Chelsea have won both games under Sonia Bompastor so far
The Blues face Real Madrid, Celtic and FC Twente in Group B
Chelsea XI: Mušović ; Bronze, Bright, Bjorn, Baltimore; Kaptein, Nusken; Rytting Kaneryd, James, Reiten; Ramirez
Real Madrid XI: Misa; Garcia, Lakrar, Mendez, Carmona; Leupolz, Angeldal, Teresa; Del Castillo, Weir, Redondo
Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid
20:20 , Will Castle
14 mins: Baltimore concedes a corner for Chelsea and Real Madrid stick their delivery right on the keeper, looking to cause chaos under the crossbar.
The ball finds a Madrid head, which can only loop onto the roof of the net.
Meanwhile, the heavens have once again opened at the Bridge.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid
20:18 , Will Castle
12 mins: Ramirez gets a lucky bounce and can break down the right for Chelsea, driving with pace towards the Real Madrid box.
Carmona does well to divert her and force the ball out of play.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid
20:16 , Will Castle
10 mins: Real Madrid beginning to grow into the game and work it well down the left, with Weir breaking into the box.
However, as the ball goes out of play, the flag goes up for a mistimed run from Carmona in the build-up.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid
20:13 , Will Castle
7 mins: Real Madrid enjoy their first glimpse in the Chelsea final third but their attacking efforts are stifled by Millie Bright, whose challenge forces a corner.
Nothing comes from the resulting set piece.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid
20:11 , Will Castle
5 mins: Really bright start from Chelsea who comes forward once again, driving into the box and firing an effort into the arms of Misa.
Real Madrid haven’t woken up yet.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid
20:10 , Will Castle
2 mins: GOAL! A lightning fast start from the hosts!
Rytting Kaneryd whips in a dangerous ball from the right to find the head of Nusken, whose effort deflects off Shei Garcia to roll into the bottom right corner.
Dream start for Chelsea, who have an early lead.
Chelsea 0-0 Real Madrid
20:05 , Will Castle
1 min: Chelsea get us underway at the Bridge.
Late lineup change for Chelsea
20:05 , Will Castle
A late change in personnel to note between the sticks for Chelsea.
Hannah Hampton is out of the lineup due to illness, with Swedish stopper Zećira Mušović deputising in her place.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
20:02 , Will Castle
After a slight delay, Millie Bright and Olga Carmona lead their sides out as they prepare to lock horns at Stamford Bridge once more in the Women’s Champions League.
Chelsea and Real Madrid have grown familiar foes having met each other at this stage in the last two campaigns - Real are yet to register a win against the West Londoners.
Could tonight be the night they end their winless streak against the Blues?
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
20:01 , Jamie Braidwood
Ah, here they come now! Kick-off is just a few moments away.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
20:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Looks like there’s going to be a delay to kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
It’s almost 8pm, and there’s no movement in the Chelsea tunnel...
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
19:50 , Jamie Braidwood
How can I watch it?
Matches in this season’s Women’s Champions League will be broadcast live and free on streaming platform DAZN and their YouTube channel throughout the world.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Chelsea hand first start to Wieke Kaptein in midfield
19:48 , Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea hand a start to 19-year-old Netherlands international Wieke Kaptein tonight. The midfielder made her first appearance for the club after coming on as a substitute in the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace.
She was actually signed by Chelsea last season, after she was named in the Dutch squad for the World Cup at the age of 17. However she returned on loan to FC Twente, where she helped the club win the league.
She starts in midfield in place of Erin Cuthbert, who is injured.
Chelsea ‘on a journey’ in the Women’s Champions League
19:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea captain Millie Bright said Sonia Bompastor has set high expectations since arriving at the club and believes the Blues should not shy away from aiming to win the Women’s Champions League for the first time.
“We’ve come very close,” she told TNT Sports. “And I think that they’re the hardest ones to take when you’re just not quite over that final line. But for us, I think we’ve never shied away from them. It’s an ambition that the club, as players, and staff want.
“We’ve certainly been on a journey with the Champions League over the years, but it’s certainly one we’re just as passionate about winning. It’s the one that we haven’t won. I think everyone’s aware of that, and we’ve spoken very openly about that.
“We’ve got a lot of changes this season, and Sonia coming in, she’s laid the expectations down, and there’s no shying away from what’s expected of this group and what our ambitions are.”
European schedule forces change of plans for Chelsea
19:40 , Will Castle
Chelsea were meant to host Manchester United on Sunday, October 6 in a highly-anticipated clash of Women’s Super League heavyweights.
However, this had to be postponed at just a week’s notice because of a conflict with tonight’s match against Real Madrid, scheduled for just two days after the proposed United game.
Throwing their planned preparation into disarray, it was safe to say Blue manager Sonia Bompastor was not happy with the change of schedule.
"We were disappointed, players and staff,” Bompastor said. “I think everyone has to understand we were supposed to play.
"We were in a very good team dynamic and not having the opportunity to play this weekend changed everything in preparation for the game on Tuesday with Real Madrid.
"When you have the opportunity to play one game a week, with this decision being made to postpone the game, now we have been out of competition for 10 days which is completely different.
"If you look at the situation, the decision is not good. I think it is not good for all the English clubs who are in the Champions League competition."
Chelsea’s Women’s Champions League record under Emma Hayes
19:30 , Jamie Braidwood
2023-24: Semi-finals
2022-23: Semi-finals
2021-22: Group stages
2020-21: Final
2019-20: N/A
2018-19: Semi-finals
2017-18: Semi-finals
Bompastor and Bronze can take Chelsea ‘that extra mile’
19:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea captain believes new arrivals Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze can help the club take the next step in Europe.
Bronze has won the Champions League five times, including the last two with Barcelona and three with Lyon, while Bompastor has won the competition as both player and coach.
“Everyone knows that our winning mentality is something that has been embedded in us for several years now,” Bright said.
“Sonia [Bompator] and the likes of Lucy [Bronze] coming in add to that mentality. They have got over that final line which we are yet to do.
“Having that experience as a player and a manager can take you that extra mile. As a whole, we’re very different now. We’re on a new journey and it’s an exciting one.”
Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Team news!
18:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea hand a start to 19-year-old midfielder Wieke Kaptein while Sandy Baltimore lines up a left back - with no Erin Cuthbert in the squad.
Lauren James starts and Mayra Ramirez returns to lead the line, with Aggie Beever-Jones dropping to the bench.
Linda Caicedo is on the bench for Real Madrid, who start former Chelsea midfielder Melanie Leupolz. Caroline Weir leads the line for the visitors.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Team news!
18:50 , Jamie Braidwood
Confirmed line-ups
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Bjorn, Baltimore; Kaptein, Nusken; Rytting Kaneryd, James, Reiten; Ramirez
Real Madrid XI: Misa; Garcia, Lakrar, Mendez, Carmona; Leupolz, Angeldal, Teresa; Del Castillo, Weir, Redondo
Chelsea hoping to take next step in Women’s Champions League
18:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea are hoping Sonia Bompastor can help the club reach the next level in Europe. The one trophy Chelsea could not win during Emma Hayes’ 12 years in charge was the Champions League, despite going close over the past few seasons.
There was the 2021 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, a 4-0 thrashing in Gothenburg, but the Blues were far more competitive in the last two semi-finals against the reigning champions, losing 2-1 on aggregate both times.
Last season felt especially brutal, with Chelsea winning 1-0 away from home in the first leg before a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge that featured a contentious penalty.
Chelsea ready for ‘tough’ Real Madrid challenge
18:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Sonia Bompastor dismissed Chelsea’s strong record against Real Madrid and said she is preparing for a “tough game” against the Spanish side.
Real Madrid have invested in the summer, signing not just former Chelsea midfielder Melanie Leupolz but Sheila Garcia, Antonia, Eva Navarro, Alba Redondo, Maelle Lakrar and Filippa Angeldahl and Maria Mendez.
“For me and the staff who have come in, it’s the first time we are going to face Real Madrid,” Bompastor said.
“I know they are one of the most competitive teams in the Spanish league, and how many talented players they have in the squad. They love to possess the ball. It’s will be a tough game, and we are ready for that.”
Chelsea host Real Madrid for third year in a row
18:15 , Jamie Braidwood
This is the third year in a row in which Chelsea have met Stamford Bridge in the Women’s Champions League group stages.
Last year, Chelsea drew 2-2 in Madrid before beating the Spanish side 2-1 at Stamford Bridge as they went through as group winners.
It was a season to forget for Real Madrid, who lost five of their six games and crashed out behind BK Hacken and Paris FC.
And in 2022-23, Chelsea also progressed as group winners, beating Real Madrid at home and earning an away win in Madrid.
With four games without a win against Chelsea, Real Madrid will be out to end that run tonight.
Sonia Bompastor looks ahead to ‘special’ Champions League return
18:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Sonia Bompastor takes charge of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time, and in a competition where she has fond memories.
The Frenchwoman is the only person to win the Women’s Champions League as both a player and a coach and said:
“It’s a really special competition, which means a lot to every player and every member of staff.
“We are really excited to get started, especially as the first game is at home at Stamford Bridge. I’m really excited because I’m in the Chelsea dugout and I’m the Chelsea manager.
“I can’t wait to be in that position, to enjoy the game and to be out there with the players and the fans.”
Real Madrid team news
18:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Scotland international Caroline Weir has returned to action for Real Madrid after missing almost a year with an ACL injury.
Linda Caicedo and Alba Redondo should return to the starting line-up following the 1-0 win over Valencia on Friday night, while Melanie Leupolz should start against her former side having left Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Chelsea team news
18:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea have not had a competitive game for 10 days after last weekend’s home match against Manchester United was postponed. Sonia Bompastor remains without several long-term absentees, though, including Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel, Sophie Ingle, and Niamh Charles.
Mayra Ramirez could return to lead the line, but the competition for places among the forward positions is fierce. Kadeisha Buchanan may return to partner Millie Bright in defence.
When is Chelsea vs Real Madrid?
18:01 , Jamie Braidwood
The Champions League fixture will kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 8 October at Stamford Bridge.
How can I watch it?
Matches in this season’s Women’s Champions League will be broadcast live and free on streaming platform DAZN and their YouTube channel throughout the world.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good evening
18:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea return to Women’s Champions League action and host Real Madrid in Sofia Bompastor’s first match at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, semi-finalists in each of the last two seasons, are looking to make the next step in Europe and have turned to a proven winner in Bompastor following the departure of Emma Hayes.
The Frenchwoman has won the Champions League as both a player and a coach with Lyon, and was beaten in last year’s final by Barcelona while still in charge of the French club.
Chelsea have drawn Real Madrid, Celtic and FC Twente in Group B and have won both of their first two games this season, with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa and a 7-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
Real Madrid have won their first five games of the season in Liga Feminin and will be looking to get out of the group stages this season. The Spanish side also faced Chelsea in the groups last season, but finished bottom and were winless.
