Chelsea on brink of knockout stages after Real Madrid draw

Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea

Chelsea fought back to draw 1-1 with Real Madrid at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, but must wait to secure qualification for the knockout stage of the Women's Champions League.

The Blues had been looking to maintain their 100% record in Group A to book their place in the last eight.

However, after Sam Kerr had twice struck the woodwork, Madrid went in front when Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir scored after capitalising on a mistake from Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

Chelsea equalised early in the second half when Guro Reiten’s penalty went in off Madrid keeper Misa Rodriguez for an own goal, and Kerr saw her late effort tipped over.

The result leaves Chelsea three points clear of Paris St Germain at the top of Group A, the French side having beaten Albanians Vllaznia 4-0 earlier on Thursday, and five points above third-placed Madrid, with two games left.

Chelsea went close to an early goal when Australian striker Kerr crashed a shot against the crossbar from close range after a corner.

Madrid threatened when left-back Olga Carmona sent over a dangerous cross and Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson was alert to head the ball clear.

Athenea Del Castillo then got away down the right wing, but her ball into the area was nodded away by Kadeisha Buchanan before Carmona drilled a 25-yard effort wide.

Kerr struck the woodwork again on the half-hour when her low shot came back off the post after being played in to the left side of the Madrid penalty area by Lauren James.

A mistake by Berger gifted Madrid the opening goal in the 36th minute when her clearance fell straight to Weir, who slotted a low shot into the net from the edge of the box.

Blues boss Emma Hayes made a double change for the second half, with