Thank you for joining me for this match this evening. Chelsea top their group after a Kerr goal and two Cuthbert strikes seal a 3-1 win, read the report below for all the details you may have missed. In the other match Paris FC knocked out Real Madrid with a 1-0 win, a sucker punch for the Spanish side. We will be back tomorrow with more Women’s Champions League action but until then have a great evening.
The Women’s Champions League action is not over as there are four more matches to be played tomorrow. Eintracht Frankfurt v Benfica, Brann v Lyon, Barcelona v Rosengard and Slavia Praha v St Polten will all take place and we will be guiding you through live coverage so make sure you stay updated.
While Häcken lost this match, and ended their unbeaten run in the competition, they still have a good shot at qualifying for the quarter-finals. Chelsea are only a point ahead at the top of the table and things could all change with two rounds of the group stage still to be played.
In the other game Paris FC have beaten Real Madrid which means the Spanish side will not be able to progress to the knock-out stages. Gaetane Thiney scored a penalty in the 79th minute to seal Real Madrid’s fate.
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Here are Erin Cuthbert’s two goals:
Erin Cuthbert gives Chelsea the lead in Sweden!
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ERIN CUTHBERT GIVES CHELSEA A THIRD! 🔥
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Full-time! Häcken 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea go top of the group with a convincing win against a resolute Häcken side. Captain Sam Kerr opened the scoring but Clarissa Larisey equalised with all things square at the break but two Erin Cithbert second half goals sealed all three points for the English side.
90 + 4 min: Crushing for Johansson, she thought one of her first touches was a goal and it should have been. She gets the ball in the back of the net but it’s pulled back for offside but the replay shows she was miles onside.
90 + 3 min: Häcken make another change as Kafaji comes off for Johansson. Kafaji had a good game, just the luck of the ball wasn’t with her to see a few chances home.
90 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added.
90 min: Häcken have a free kick in a great position after Charles fouls Anvegard, who takes the set piece but the move is well read and it is initially cleared. It comes to Sandberg who pops a cross in but it’s dealt with. Häcken make another change with Grant on for Curmark.
88 min: Kafaji almost pounces on a beautiful pass into the box, if Häcken scored now it would be an interesting end, but the chance is gone. Chelsea make a change as Kaneryd comes off for Beever-Jones.
86 min: Chelsea are on the hunt for their fourth as James pops it in but it is well cleared, it comes as far as Cuthbert who whacks a huge shot but Falk saves.
84 min: Häcken are having a nice period of possession, one thing they have not been guilty of this evening is forcing play at all. Their great work gets them to the edge of the box but Lawrence dispossess Kafaji.
82 min: Kafaji does really well to get a cross in while being surrounded by a blue wall but Musovic watches it all the way and plucks it out of the air.
80 min: Lawrence is now back up and is waiting to re-enter the pitch – a great thing to see. In the other match Paris FC have scored and so Real Madrid’s knock-out hopes are dwindling.
79 min: There is a break in play here as Lawrence is down after a ball smacks her in the head. The referee then blows her whistle right above her as she lays on the ground, probably not helping the pain.
78 min: Kaneryd makes another great run, she is having a phenomenal game. She passes to Fishel but she is offside. Häcken make their first changes are Larisey, Jusu Bah, Sorensen off for Bergman Lundin, Sandberg and Schroder.
76 min: Cuthbert is now captain for Chelsea with Kerr off, club captain Bright is still injured and is expected back after the Christmas break. Chelsea are really starting to get a grip on the game, while they were 3-1 up Häcken were still pulling some strings but the English side look settled now.
74 min: Being 3-1 down has not dampened the spirits of the Häcken supporters as they continue to sing their songs. The songs are the background to the latest Chelsea attack with Kaneryd popping it in but no one is there to convert. Chelsea make another change and Kerr is off for Fishel, I said she would come off!
72 min: Kafaji is at the centre of Häcken’s attack as she makes a great run but her final touch has too much on it and it is out for a goal kick. Chelsea are sloppy in the midfield and gift it straight back to Häcken, Larisey takes a shot but it is just wide.
70 min: Jusu Bah, who has had a good game, is having a great battle with Lawrence down the right hand side. Jusu Bah may have had a upper hand in the first half but Lawrence has matched her in this second 45. Possession exchanging hands quite frequently at the moment.
68 min: Chelsea are not satisfied with three, they want to bury this match as they come forward through Cuthbert again. Her cross is repelled by Häcken defenders.
66 min: Kerr lays it off to Cuthbert, who pops her shot from the near post. Falk got a hand to it but the strike was too powerful and it ruffles the back of the net.
Updated
GOAL! Häcken 1-3 Chelsea (Cuthbert, 65'),
It’s Cuthbert again!
63 min: Musovic has a poor clearance but Charles wins possession back to quell any danger, Häcken’s high press is working really well though. They are really making the visitors work here and remember before this match the Swedish side had only conceded two goals in the WCL this season.
61 min: Chelsea have a good delivery but the box is so crowded and well-defended by Häcken that they can’t rifle off a shot.
60 min: Chelsea make two changes with Fleming and Nusken on for Ingle and Reiten. Chelsea have a free kick after Lawrence was fouled, Cuthbert belts it to the edge of the box and they are forced to work it backwards. A patient bit of play sees James launch a thunderous shot but Falk pushes it over for another corner.
59 min: Chelsea are looking much more like themselves since they scored through Cuthbert, a lot of time on the ball and a lot more passes being pinpoint. But they still have to be wary of Häcken on the break.
57 min: Buchanan does so well to keep the ball in, Häcken players claim it is out but the linesperson rules play on. Chelsea eventually pop it upfield but Falk comes to collect.
55 min: Sorensen is fouled by Cuthbert deep in Häcken’s half and so the hosts can clear.
53 min: In the build-up to that Luik had done good defensive work to repel Kaneryd but Chelsea quickly put in another attack, Cuthbert slotting a thumping strike.
GOAL! Häcken 1-2 Chelsea (Cuthbert, 52')
Chelsea keep knocking on the door and eventually they are let in.
Updated
51 min: Kaneryd has a lovely one-two and finds it in the box but then has a heavy touch to give it away and Häcken are lightning fast in their counter. Larisey is at the heart of things again, she passes to Anvegard who smacks the bar! Chelsea don’t clear well and Häcken have two more chances before the ball is claimed by Chelsea. Wow.
49 min: A poor pass from Kerr, trying to find Kaneryd in the box, sees the Sweden international push a defender and give away a free kick. Chelsea manage to win it back quickly, as it seems they always do, but what can they do with the possession? They come close, Reiten is an inch away from connecting on a great cross.
47 min: Häcken look to strike early in this half but Buchanan reads it well and launches a counter attack, it comes into Kerr but it has too much on it.
Back underway! Häcken 1-1 Chelsea
So will either side find a winner? Or will they share the points? All to play for in the next 45 minutes.
In the other 8pm GMT kick-off, Real Madrid and Paris FC are locked in at 0-0. A draw would keep Real Madrid’s WCL hopes alive, if they lose their chances of progressing out of the group will be hugely dampened.
Here are both goals from this game so far:
SAM KERR TAKES CHELSEA INTO THE LEAD! 🔥
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BK Häcken are level! Clarissa Larisey finished it. 💪
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As the players walked back to the changing rooms for half-time Kerr looked exhausted. She has been playing a lot of football lately so it will be interesting if she comes off in the second half. I don’t think she will but something to note in case she does.
Half-time! Häcken 1-1 Chelsea
Well what a half we have been treated to. Chelsea managed to break down the Häcken doors as Kerr’s effort opened the scoring but Häcken responded well and equalised through Larisey. Since the equaliser it has been a fairly even game but Häcken look much more confident in attack. As things stand Häcken remain top of the group.
45 + 2 min: Chelsea whip the ball quickly through the feet again, a lovely team move, and Kaneryd has a volley at goal but Falk saves again – another impressive performance from her so far.
45 + 1 min: Hayes scream ‘one and two touch’ and her players immediately implement it. The ball quickly finds its way to Ingle whose shot is well saved by Falk. The goalkeeper concedes a corner which is then well handled by Häcken’s defenders. There will be three minutes added, not surprising as there were a few injuries in this half.
44 min: It’s now Musovic’s turn to throw a punch in the goalkeeping battle as Häcken attack again. Larisey crosses it in and Musovic comes out to collect, she almost fumbles the ball but she manages to get it under control. End-to-end football.
42 min: Häcken peel away and look to take the lead for the first time in the match but Larisey is offside.
40 min: Anvegard didn’t need any treatment and she is back to her feet. Chelsea get an attack underway, Kaneryd pops it in and Charles hits it back in but no one can get a shot away, it eventually comes to James who takes a chance but it’s over the bar.
38 min: Chelsea eventually get it into the box with Kerr but she is crowded, her shot is blocked and Häcken are immediately on the attack – Carter manages to wrestle the ball back though. The difference in teams at the moment is Chelsea are finding it incredibly difficult to get a shot on target but Häcken are able to counter and create something out of nothing. Anvegard is now down injured, a slight break in play now.
36 min: Kaneryd is playing so well, she once again puts in a great cross but no one is there to hit it home. The visitors are quickly on the prowl with good interplay in the midfield.
34 min: Possession is exchanging hands as both sides have some sloppy passes in the midfield. Carter has a good run as Chelsea win the ball but Häcken do enough to halt the press.
32 min: Häcken’s fans didn’t quieten too much after Kerr’s goal but my, oh my they have gotten a lot louder since Larisey’s equaliser. They are currently soundtracking Chelsea’s latest attack but the visitors are forcing their play slightly and cough up possession for Falk to collect.
Updated
31 min: Häcken come forward again but Cuthbert is fouled and so Chelsea can clear their lines. The Blues look slightly shaken after the equaliser and they give away possession again – Kafaji though launches her effort directly at Musovic.
29 min: Cuthbert has now returned to the pitch. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea respond to conceding, Häcken stuck to their game and chose their moments to attack after Kerr opened the scoring but can Chelsea keep composed? Their defence isn’t the best this season, they crumbled against Arsenal a few weeks ago.
27 min: There was great build-up from Häcken, a patient play from the hosts and then they unlocked their attack. A huge pass to Jusu Bah sees her cross into Larisey who hits home. Incredible and the sold-out crowd are lively again.
GOAL! Häcken 1-1 Chelsea (Larisey, 26)
Wow, what a counter attack.
Updated
25 min: Cuthbert is gingerly walking off the pitch, I am unsure if she will be replaced or if she is just walking to the sidelines as she has had treatment. No replacement has been announced so I think she will return to the pitch shortly.
23 min: Cuthbert is down injured after she was tackled by Sorensen, who gets a yellow card for the foul. Cuthbert is receiving extensive treatment, hopefully she is okay to continue.
22 min: The corner is taken short but it comes in for James, Häcken do well to clear and Larisey looks to break but the visitors do enough to track back and quell the danger.
21 min: Lawrence reads a play well and Larisey tries to find Jusu Bah, that combination is working for the hosts. Chelsea counter and Kaneryd finds herself in a one-on-one with the keeper but Falk does well to collect. Chelsea quickly win it back and it is the good work of Kaneryd again that wins a corner.
19 min: That is a lovely move from Häcken, Larisey turns and gets a cross in but it doesn’t meet a teammate and Chelsea are able to clear.
17 min: It’s a poor delivery and Junttila-Nelhage it able to clear but concedes another corner, this time the delivery is better but Falk confidently collects.
16 min: Chelsea are revving and going through the gears now, Cuthbert takes a shot but it’s cleared, it’s popped back in with Kerr the aim but the hosts see it out for another corner.
15 min: Kaneryd did great work on the edge of the box to have some space to cross to Kerr, the captain took a one-touch finish and they lead.
GOAL! Häcken 0-1 Chelsea (Kerr, 14')
Chelsea come again and it’s the captain!
Updated
14 min: Lawrence gives away a free kick for a foul on Jusu Bah, it’s deep in Häcken’s half so they will have to build and they do just that. Jusu Bah is fed the ball on the edge of the area but she is smothered by Chelsea players who clear. This time it is the Blues’ turn to counter and Reiten pops a cross in but James is a whisker away from finishing.
12 min: Just as I mention goalkeepers Falk is called into action. Chelsea have a lot of play in and around the box, it eventually comes to James and she loops a curling effort on target but Falk pushes it over the bar for a corner. Cuthbert has a good delivery but it is initially headed away, it comes back in twice but each time Häcken repel the threat.
10 min: The battle of the goalkeepers continues this week as two of Sweden’s keepers – Falk and Musovic – are in goal this evening. Neither have really been tested this evening yet, last week Falk was impressive and Musovic did not have a lot to do. There’s a break in play here as Larisey is down injured but she is back to her feet and can continue.
8 min: Chelsea’s defence quickly looks a bit desperate, the ball comes to Kaneryd and she rifles off a long range effort that is well wide. Häcken look to counter and Kafaji tries to find Jusu Bah but Lawrence reads it well to shut down the chance – a really lively start.
6 min: Kafaji does really well to beat two defenders and she unlocks the hosts’ attack. Larisey is fed the ball and Anvegard crosses a lovely ball but no one can finish the chance! Chelsea are quick to counter and Kerr finds herself in the box but she is tackled, she stays on the floor for a moment but she is okay to continue.
4 min: Reiten screams for a foul with arms in the air but the referee doesn’t give anything, Chelsea are still with the ball though and are pressing for the opener. It will be another long night for Häcken’s defence. It functions once more as Carter’s pass goes out of play.
2 min: Reiten with a blistering run to start things off but she opts to pass backwards, Chelsea eventually work it forwards again but Häcken do well to intercept and quell the danger.
Kick-off! Häcken 0-0 Chelsea
So here we go! The winner this evening will finish the year top of the group. The stadium is sold-out, 6,000 fans in – the atmosphere is electric.
Updated
Only five minutes until kick-off in Sweden. Chelsea need a big 90 minutes if they are going to break down Häcken and Jusu Bah caused a lot of headaches for Chelsea’s defence when she came on in the second half last week. Remember if Häcken win this evening they would have enough points to progress to the next round.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has said in the build-up: “Every game is a must-win game for us. That is our mentality. We were disappointed with our performance last week. We worked on that, trained really well, played well at the weekend. This place will be rocking tomorrow night. This is going to be a difficult place to play. We are playing an opponent who are very confident in what they’re doing. They’ve had an amazing year, especially in the Champions League, and we have to deal with all of those challenges. But we have to be ready to perform.”
The earlier kick-offs have finished and there is a huge result for Ajax as they have seen out their 1-0 scoreline to take all three points. In Italy Roma lost 3-1 to PSG, the match included a goal from Katoto who has returned from her ACL injury she sustained at the Euros.
Updated
Have you been listening to our weekly women’s football podcast? It has great insight into the game with superb analysis. This week’s delves into Tottenham’s north London derby win over Arsenal, listen here:
As Christmas is coming up I thought a pun-off would be a good idea. Send me your best Christmas come football puns via email or X and I’ll pop them on the blog. I’ll decide my favourite after full-time.
If you want a recap of all the action that took place when Chelsea and Häcken met last week, have a read of the report:
Ajax v Bayern Munich currently stands at 1-0 to the hosts, while PSG are beating Roma 2-0. I will let you know the full-time scores when those games concluded in around 20 minutes.
There are three other Women’s Champions League fixtures happening today. Ajax v Bayern Munich and Roma v PSG kicked off at 5.45pm GMT and I will be bringing you all the updates from those games shortly. The other match, Real Madrid v Paris FC, starts at 8pm GMT and it’s a crucial game for the Spanish side – if they lose they will risk their progress to the knock-out phase as they are currently bottom of their group
Updated
The team news is in. Häcken have made two changes to the team who played Chelsea a week ago with Jusu Bah and Curmark coming in.
Häcken: Falk, Kosola, Rybrink, Luik, Junttila-Nelhage, Curmark, Sorensen, Anvegard, Kafaji, Jusu Bah, Larisey
Chelsea, meanwhile, have also made two changes from last week with Lawrence and James starting.
Chelsea: Musovic, Lawrence, Buchanan, Carter, Charles, Cuthbert, Ingle, Kaneryd, James, Reiten, Kerr.
Preamble
Good evening and welcome back to the Women’s Champions League. Tonight Häcken welcome Chelsea in the reverse fixture of their European encounter last week.
At Stamford Bridge, Häcken frustrated Chelsea as the Blues had 23 shots but the match ended 0-0. The result meant the Swedish side remained top of the group and unbeaten in the competition but Emma Hayes’ team will be hoping to end 2023 on a high.
Chelsea changed their fortunes last weekend with a 3-0 win over Bristol City in the Women’s Super League after the draw against Häcken and a 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the league. They will be looking to come away with all three points but their opponents are difficult to break down.
Häcken also have extra motivation to win this game, if they come away with all three points they will be through to the knock-outs.
Before we delve more into the build-up to the fixture, which kicks off at 8pm GMT, let’s take a look at the team news.
