Soccer

Super-sub Catarina Macario fires Chelsea to top spot in Champions League group

The United States forward’s two penalties secured a comeback win over Real Madrid.

Catarina Macario scored two penalties in five minutes as Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Women’s Champions League (Manu Fernandez/AP)
Catarina Macario scored two penalties in five minutes as Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Women’s Champions League (Manu Fernandez/AP) (Manu Fernandez/AP)
By PA Sport staff

Chelsea ended the group stages of the Women’s Champions League with a 100 per cent record after coming back from a goal down to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in Spain.

Scotland international Caroline Weir gave the home side an early lead as they looked to leapfrog their opponents and top Group B, but an inspired half-time substitution turned the tide in Chelsea’s favour.

Head coach Sonia Bompastor brought on Catarina Macario at the interval and the United States international had a goal ruled out for offside before converting two penalties in the space of five minutes, both conceded by Olga Carmona.

Both sides had already secured their place in the quarter-finals, but victory at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium ensures Chelsea will avoid another group winner in the last eight.

The home side made much the better start and the influential Weir saw her long-range effort comfortably saved by Hannah Hampton in the second minute.

Hampton was less assured just five minutes later however as Real deservedly took the lead, the Chelsea goalkeeper getting her left hand to Weir’s well-struck shot but only succeeding in pushing it over her head and into the corner of the net.

At the other end, Hampton’s opposite number Maria Misa tipped over a dangerous curling effort from the edge of the area from Guro Reiten, before Weir’s fantastic footwork saw her evade two Chelsea defenders and tee up Carmona to strike a left-footed shot narrowly wide.

Reiten was forced off with an injury shortly afterwards, but it was a half-time substitution which proved the turning point as Bompastor brought on Macario for Mayra Ramirez.

Chelsea’s Catarina Macario, right, scores a penalty against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League (Manu Fernandez/AP)
Chelsea’s Catarina Macario, right, scores a penalty against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League (Manu Fernandez/AP) (Manu Fernandez/AP)

Within seconds of the restart Macario had a goal ruled out for offside and the 25-year-old was then brought down by Carmona just inside the area to give the visitors a golden chance to equalise.

Macario made no mistake from 12 yards and just five minutes later drilled home an identical spot-kick after the unfortunate Carmona was penalised for handball.

Real pushed for an equaliser in the latter stages but Naomie Feller skied their best chance well over the bar after being set up by the superb Weir.