Sam Kerr's Chelsea have kicked off their Champions League group stage campaign with a controversial 2-2 draw against Hayley Raso's Real Madrid.
The Matildas captain headed home in the 74th minute from six yards out in a bumper opening Group D clash in the Spanish capital, while her Australian teammate Raso only entered the contest on Wednesday night (Thursday AEDT) in the 89th.
A day after confirming she was leaving the Blues to take over as the US women's national team coach, Emma Hayes was left feeling "robbed" when her side had a last-kick winner ruled out.
With no VAR in place at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, striker Kerr was flagged for offside even though it was England left-back Niamh Charles who came from deep to sweep home.
"It is embarrassing. I had to check why it was disallowed. Was it Niamh? No. Was it Sam (Kerr) interfering with the goalkeeper? She was about seven yards away, no way near the keeper," Hayes said.
"I cannot understand the decision whatsoever. I think we've been robbed of what was a 3-1 game.
"You can't (ask the referee for clarity at fulltime). You're not allowed to speak to the officials. Can't speak to them there (on the pitch), can't speak about it here (to the media)."
Charles levelled at 1-1 in the 41st minute and turned provider for Chelsea's second, crossing expertly for Kerr to head in with 16 minutes remaining to become the first player to score 10 group stage goals.
Spanish international defender Olga Carmona scored both goals for the hosts, including a controversial penalty with 10 to go.
"Of course maybe Jessie shouldn't lunge in that area but ... I could see from the bench that the tackle (for the penalty decision) was outside the box," Hayes added.
"So I'm absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn't see that.
"I can't remember the last time we were in a game like that when two humongous decisions like that have gone against us - that is a lot tonight."
In Amsterdam, Australian defender Clare Hunt was replaced on 82 minutes as her Paris Saint-Germain side were beaten 2-0 by Ajax.
Another Matilda in Aivi Luik played a full game in her Swedish side Hacken's 2-1 win at Paris FC, for whom Aussie midfielder Sarah Hunter remained on the bench, while Bayern Munich and Roma drew 2-2 in Germany.
With PA.
