Chelsea launched their Women’s Champions League campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over Paris FC at Stamford Bridge. The highlight of the match was Alyssa Thompson, who scored her first goal for the club early in the second half. The 20-year-old forward, who made a high-profile £1.1m move from Angel City this summer, has quickly adapted to her new environment and was praised for her performance.
The match started with Chelsea pushing for an early goal, but they struggled to convert early opportunities. Sandy Baltimore eventually broke the deadlock, converting a penalty after a foul on Sjoeke Nüsken in the box. The referee initially missed the infringement, but after a VAR review, the penalty was awarded. Baltimore calmly stepped up to score, continuing her fine form with another goal for the Blues.
Just before halftime, Thompson turned provider with a well-timed assist to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Thompson’s clever turn and cross allowed the winger to loop in a header, giving Chelsea a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break. Despite her surprise at scoring with her head, Kaneryd celebrated the goal, marking a key moment in the match.
Chelsea picked up where they left off in the second half. Thompson made an instant impact after the restart, finishing from close range to make it 3-0. Erin Cuthbert added a fourth when she turned in a Sam Kerr header, making it clear that Chelsea was in control. The victory was a significant boost after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Twente in their opening Champions League match.
Manager Sonia Bompastor was pleased with the result and the performances of her players, especially Thompson. “I’m glad for her because she’s been working hard, and scoring her first goal is really important for her confidence,” Bompastor said. “She’s really quick, and I think we haven’t seen the best of her yet.”
There was also a debut for Lexi Potter, the young academy product, who came on in the final moments as Chelsea comfortably saw out the game. The win gives Chelsea a solid three points ahead of their upcoming away trip to St Pölten next month, as they continue their quest for Champions League glory.
