Chelsea draw with Twente in Women’s Champions League
Chelsea Women began their Uefa Women’s Champions League league phase campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against FC Twente, failing to convert dominance into three points.
Coach Sonia Bompastor chose a heavily rotated starting XI, making seven changes from their last domestic outing, a gamble that ultimately proved costly against a determined Dutch side.
From the outset, Chelsea controlled possession and generated numerous opportunities, but Twente goalkeeper Diede Lemey was resolute, denying efforts from Sjoeke Nusken and Aggie Beever-Jones. The visitors consistently lacked the clinical edge that has defined their recent success, a narrative that carried through the entire first half despite recording high possession and multiple dangerous crosses.
The Blues were punished for their profligacy just past the hour mark. Against the run of play in the 63rd minute, Twente captain Danique van Ginkel unleashed a stunning, curling strike from the edge of the area that sailed past goalkeeper Livia Peng into the top corner, giving the hosts a shock lead.
Twente’s advantage was short-lived, however. Seven minutes later, Chelsea found a lifeline when Guro Reiten was fouled inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot. French international Sandy Baltimore stepped up confidently and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to level the scores at 1-1.
Despite late pressure, including the introduction of star forward Sam Kerr and youth prospect Chloe Sarwie, Chelsea could not find a winner. Twente’s disciplined and efficient defensive unit successfully held firm, earning a well-deserved point in their European opener and leaving Chelsea with just a single point on the board in the new league phase structure.
