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Chloe Beresford·22 December 2022
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Chloe Beresford·22 December 2022
There were goals galore in Thursday night’s Champions League action, as the last of the group stages games played out ahead of the quarter-finals in March.
Here’s what went down.
Scorers: Kerr 42′, James 55, 62′
Chelsea finished top of their Champions League group with a superb win over PSG.
A tense first half looked to be heading for a goalless draw as the players went in at the break, until Sophie Ingle won the ball well in midfield to play in Sam Kerr, the Australia international going on a mazy solo run to deliver a wonderful finish and put Chelsea ahead.
PSG were having problems with Chelsea pressing their goal kicks with superb efficiency as Lauren James intercepted the ball when they attempted to play out from the back for the third time in a row, and this time she made it count after she delivered a sublime finish following a neat passing exchange in the box.
It was going to be James’ night as Fran Kirby squared the ball across the box for a much easier finish for her second.
Chelsea hit the post in stoppage time, as they saw out a professional performance and ended the evening with a clean sheet.
Scorers: Doçi 5′; Weir 11, Abelleira 18′, 21′, Camacho 78′, Partido Durán 83′
Vllaznia took a shock lead when a long-range free kick crept under goalkeeper Méline Gérard, a well-hit attempt but in all likelihood one that should’ve been saved.
Normal service was resumed when Caroline Weir netted from a central position inside the box, and Teresa Abelleira hit a shot from distance and converted a penalty just three minutes later.
A shocking lack of marking from a long ball into the box led to Real Madrid’s fourth, as Rocío Gálvez headed towards goal and substitute Carla Camacho made sure.
The goal of the night came from Paula Partido Durán, as she netted the fifth with a wonderful dinked effort over the Vllaznia goalkeeper.
Scorers: Lattwein 5′, Hegering 38′, Huth 40′, Pajor 56′, Waßmuth 67′, Wolter 74′, 76′, Bremer 82′; Zver 78′, Schumacher 85′
Wolfsburg mauled St. Pölten away from home in the last match in Group B.
Wolfsburg took the lead early on when Kathrin Hendrich teed up a chance for Lena Lattwein to take a shot on the edge of the box, which she finished superbly well into the top corner.
Just before the break, the German side killed off the game with two quick-fire goals, the first a thumping effort from Marina Hegering from well outside the box, and the second when Ewa Pajor crashed her effort onto the post for Svenja Huth to score with the follow-up.
Pajor then turned from provider to goalscorer as she bundled home from a cross, with St. Pölten unhappy that a foul wasn’t given for a barge on goalkeeper Carina Schlüter.
Those protests turned out to be in vain as a cross from the right-hand side was flicked high into the net by Tabea Waßmuth, and confusion in the box was capitalised on when Pia-Sophie Wolter who slammed home her effort.
Wolter was on target again as some relentless pressing, a cute backheeled pass and an accurate cross was met by the head of the 25-year-old midfielder.
St. Pölten had their consolation as Mateja Zver took advantage of a loose ball before slotting home, but all in all it was a torrid night for the Austrian side as Wolfsburg made it eight thanks to Pauline Bremer.
The home side then added their second five minutes from time as the game opened up into chaos, but all in all Wolfsburg showed their class with a comfortable win.
Scorers: Giacinti 32′, Kollmats 37′, Linari 49′
Roma impressed in their final Champions League group stage encounter with a convincing win over Slavia Prague.
The away side went ahead just after the half hour mark when they intercepted the ball deep into their own half from a Slavia Prague attack, the Giallorosse putting a superb passing move together that was prodded home by Valentina Giacinti after she had made a clever run between two centre backs.
That goal seemed to open the floodgates as the home side struggled to contain Roma’s press, and a corner was headed home by Beata Collmats after yet another chance had been turned behind.
Just after the half-time break, Roma had their thrid when Manuela Giugliano drove a long-range free-kick which was turned in with a right-footed shot by Elena Linari.
The top two teams from each of the four UWCL groups will go through to the draw for the quarter-final, which will take place at 13:00 CET on February 10th.