Kerr’s goal seals Chelsea’s spot in Women’s Champions League quarter-finals
Sam Kerr capped a superb fightback with a stylish headed winner as Chelsea secured a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory away to Wolfsburg in the final group game.
The Australian, on just her third start of the season following her 20-month injury absence, netted from close range following a typically brilliant run and cross by substitute Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Sonia Bompastor’s side were off the pace before the break and were lucky they only trailed to Alexandra Popp’s stunning half-volley as the final minute approached.
But the exceptional Lucy Bronze headed home from a corner in the 45th minute and Kerr’s composed finish earned a victory which means the reigning Women’s Super League champions finished third in the league phase and avoid a play-off place.
The Blues were already assured of at least a play-off spot, but needed a win to be certain of a top-four spot and automatic qualification progress, while Wolfsburg had to take all three points and hope other results went their way to guarantee progress.
The German side’s greater need showed in their early intent and Alexandra Popp put them ahead inside ten minutes with a stunning half-volley that flashed past keeper Livia Peng, who had given the ball away in the first place.
Chelsea failed to cope with Wolfsburg’s high press, high-tempo start and were second best in the early stages.
Aside from a decent Sandy Baltimore strike which fizzed just past the near post, they barely got out of their own half and could easily have been more than a solitary goal behind.
Popp, who had just headed an effort narrowly wide, crashed in a stunning half-volley to put the two-time European champions ahead, but their wayward finishing proved costly as Chelsea began to threaten too.
Sam Kerr was twice denied a simple close-range leveller by some desperate last-ditch defending, while Lauren James wasted a glorious chance when she shot straight at keeper Stina Johannes when one-on-one.
But although Chelsea slowly began to get on top, the Wolfsburg front pairing of Popp posed constant problems with their strength and movement and only some wonderful defending by Lucy Bronze stopped the hosts going 2-0 up. The England stalwart blocked a goalbound Beerensteyn shot and then raced back 80 yards to slide in and deflect Kessya Bussy’s strike wide.
Bronze then showed her quality in front of goal at the other end, rising to head in direct from a corner.
Alyssa Thompson rattled the frame of the goal within a minute of the restart and Johannes made a fine low save to keep out Cuthbert’s strike before Kerr headed home.
Peng did have to make a couple of excellent saves in a nervy finale and Vivien Endemann hit the bar with an injury-time strike, but Chelsea held on.
