Wednesday’s Chelsea-Wolfsburg matchup in the UEFA Women’s Champions League was one of those games you just didn’t want to end. Thrilling action on either side of the pitch ended in a 3-3 draw featuring stunning golazos, horrifying mistakes and a late, late equalizer.
Chelsea, last season’s runner-up, opened its UWCL campaign on fire, scoring 12 minutes in through a Sam Kerr stunner only to concede the next three goals on howlers. But the reigning FA WSL champs dug deep to earn a draw to share the spoils in Group A.
The 2021-22 Women’s Champions League has never been easier to watch and Wednesday’s match was a prime example of why you should watch, as the game thrilled from start to finish. (Click here to find out how to watch every match for free on YouTube.)
Last season, Chelsea ousted Wolfsburg 5-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals before losing 4-0 to Barcelona in the final. But Die Wölfinnen (the She-wolves) reloaded in the offseason, adding the likes of Jill Roord and Tabea Waßmuth, the two goal scorers on Wednesday.
Kerr scored an absolute worldie early and two-time UEFA Player of the Year Pernille Harder, a former Wolfsburg superstar, netted the late equalizer in the 92nd minute for Chelsea.
On the other side, Lena Oberdorf was superb in midfield; the 19-year-old already who already has 21 caps with Germany is mature beyond her years in the heart of Wolfsburg’s lineup. While not flawless on the night, at one point in the dying minutes, it appeared Harder was in on goal only for Oberdorf’s sweeping tackle to clear the danger.
Wolfsburg and Chelsea now sit tied for second in Group A behind Juventus, which beat Servette Chênois of Switzerland 3-0 on Wednesday.
Chelsea vs Wolfsburg Highlights (UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stage)
Sam Kerr Goal vs Wolfsburg
Chelsea was thoroughly dominant in the opening minutes. Much like Barcelona sucked the life out of Arsenal in the first half on Tuesday, the Blues were all over the Die Wölfinnen.
Chelsea capitalized on its superiority through Kerr, who scored the goal of the game when she chipped the keeper from the edge of the 18 in the 12th minute.
SAM KERR CHIPS THE KEEPER AND CELEBRATES IN STYLE
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 6, 2021
At this point, it looked like Chelsea would run away with the match. The Blues are loaded at every position and Wolfsburg was without its star, Alexandra Popp.
But there’s a reason Wolfsburg has won six league titles since 2013, and Die Wolfinnen showed their resolve, thanks to a few Chelsea blunders.
The first error was a piece of miscommunication between Magdalena Eriksson and keeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Waßmuth was in the right place to take advantage and equalize just five minutes after going behind.
Waßmuth capitalises on a Chelsea error
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 6, 2021
Emma Hayes’ side again shot itself in the foot when trying to play out of the back later in the half. This time it was former Arsenal striker Jill Roord popping up to punish a poor pass attempt.
Emma Hayes is FUMING after Chelsea fail to pass out from the back 2-1 to Wolfsburg.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 6, 2021
Soon after halftime, a shocking third mistake resulted in a third Wolfsburg goal.
Chelsea center back Jessica Carter failed to deal with a simple ball into the corner, leaving her partner Berger stranded as Waßmuth again pounced with clinical precision.
Third Chelsea mistake. Third Wolfsburg goal
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 6, 2021
Beth England clawed Chelsea back within 3-2 three minutes later, making no mistake when the ball fell to her in the box and the comeback was on.
THIS GAME IS A THRILLER
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 6, 2021
Chelsea finally equalized in the second minute of stoppage time through none other than Harder, who took advantage of a tired Wolfsburg defense to earn her side a draw.
PERNILLE HARDER COMPLETES THE COMEBACK AGAINST HER OLD CLUB
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 6, 2021
It was sad to hear the final whistle blow on this 3-3 match. Fortunately, these two teams will face off again in Germany on Dec. 16. You won’t want to miss it.
