Ellie Carpenter’s ferocious strike headlines Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona in Women’s Champions League | OneFootball

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.

Barcelona came into the fixture as the competition’s top scorers, so Chelsea had to defend solidly — and they did for most of the game.

The Blues went ahead with an unbelievable strike from Ellie Carpenter, who rifled the ball into the bottom corner after a dazzling run.

Barcelona thought they had breached Chelsea’s defence when Ewa Pajor scored, but her effort was ruled offside.

Moments later, the offside flag could not deny the Polish striker as she drew Barcelona level, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Livia Peng into the top-right corner.

Wieke Kaptein came close to restoring Chelsea’s lead before halftime, receiving a lay off from Alyssa Thompson, but could only rattle the right post.

The hosts headed into the break in control of the game, but failed to pose enough of a threat to Cata Coll in the Barcelona goal.

Chelsea began the second half with less intensity, but were hardworking without the ball, closing down the Barcelona players, who dominated possession.

Carpenter almost scored her second of the evening after the hour mark, only to see her effort drift just wide of the post.

Substitute Catarina Macario thought she had given Chelsea the lead, heading the ball into the back of the net, but it was ruled offside.

Carpenter squandered Chelsea’s chance in the second half, failing to convert in a one-on-one, after receiving a delightful pass from Macario.

The result leaves Chelsea in sixth in the league standings while Barcelona are joint-top with Lyon.