Chelsea thrash Roma in Women’s Champions League

Chelsea thrashed Roma 6-0 with a ruthless performance that means qualification for the Women’s Champions League knockout phase is in their own hands heading into the final league fixture.

An outrageous own goal by Valentina Bergamasch set Sonia Bompastor’s side on their way and Wieke Kaptein made it 2-0 with a cool finish after a fine team move.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd added a third, a thumping strike into the roof of the net and Chelsea’s dominance continued after the break.

Substitute Sjoeke Nusken as good as sealed victory on 50 minutes, coolly slotting home a penalty awarded for a foul on her by Marta Pandini following a VAR review.

Maika Hamano found the bottom corner to make it 5-0 in the latter stages and Lucy Bronze wrapped up the scoring with a slightly mis-hit cross that sailed into the far corner.

The victory was never in doubt after Chelsea, who are now assured of a play-off place, seized control following an open start at Stamford Bridge that saw both sides fail to make the most of some threatening attacks.

The outstanding Sandy Baltimore was the source for the opener, jinking her way down the right flank and delivering a dangerous cross that was powerfully headed past Roma keeper Olivie Lukasova by Bergamasch.

The Blues could have been out of sight by the interval; Kiera Walsh smashed a shot straight at Lukasova, Kaptein looped a shot over the bar and Sam Kerr also missed a great-close range chance when she headed over.

Rytting Kaneryd’s forceful finish on the rebound, when Lukasova had made a great save from Kerry after great work by Niamh Charles, ensured Chelsea’s first-half dominance was more accurately reflected at the break.

Nusken’s penalty and strikes from and Bronze saw the Blues match their first half goal tally, while Kerr forced another excellent save from the whistle the overworked Lukasova also made excellent saves from Kerr and substitute Lexi Potter.