Wieke Kaptein delivered a spectacular long-distance winner to give Chelsea a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Austria Wien at AFC Wimbledon Stadium on Wednesday as the 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase got underway.
Wieke Kaptein Secures Hard-Fought Opening Win for Chelsea at AFC Wimbledon Stadium
Chelsea had to weather a remarkably stern test from Austria Wien on Wednesday evening to launch their European campaign on home turf. The decisive moment arrived early in the contest when Sandy Baltimore’s run was ended by a well-timed sliding tackle and the ball spun loose.
That early brilliance proved the only difference in an action-packed affair at AFC Wimbledon Stadium. Melvine Malard and Alyssa Thompson came close to increasing Chelsea’s lead, with Thompson cutting the ball back to Kaptein for a low effort well saved by the goalkeeper, while Malard headed just wide. Yet the hosts found themselves living dangerously for much of the evening. Sjoeke Nüsken and Sandy Baltimore had further Chelsea chances batted away during the encounter.
Escaping Late Scares and Dealing with Early Injury Blows
Potter came on to replace her. Austria Wien continued to press for an equaliser after the interval. Modesta Uka shot from range, forcing Peng into a diving save to her right.
Goalscorers and Record-Setters Across Wednesday’s European Action
While Chelsea grinded out a narrow win, elsewhere in the league phase holders Barcelona began their title defence with an impressive comeback victory, defeating Paris FC 5-2.
Meanwhile, last season’s runners-up OL Lyonnes laid down a marker in Geneva against Servette with an 8-0 victory. Marie-Antoinette Katoto registered a hat-trick and earned Player of the Match honors. In other matches, OH Leuven and Roma played out a 0-0 draw where substitute Marta Pandini was unable to claim maximum points for Roma, with her late penalty striking the upright against Leuven goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve, while Jada Conijnenberg took Player of the Match honours for OH Leuven as the competition’s league phase Matchday 1 concluded on Wednesday.
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