Barça are returning from Stamford Bridge with a point, a result that can be considered positive after a very intense, back-and-forth match against a Chelsea side who also came into the game unbeaten. Although the Blues took the lead through Carpenter, Ewa Pajor equalised for Barça before the break, and with no further score, Pere Romeu’s team remain top of the UWCL group with 10 points.

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Chelsea lead

The match began evenly, with both teams trying to control possession and applying high pressure. Both had chances to open the scoring. Graham Hansen fired the first warning after receiving a through ball from Pina, but Peng got the better of the Norwegian in the one-on-one. On the counter, Carpenter broke the deadlock with a powerful shot at the near post. 16 minutes into the game and the Londoners were ahead.

Pajor levels

Barça reacted quickly. In the 24th minute, moments after having a goal disallowed for offside, Pajor made it 1–1. The Polish striker picked up the rebound from a corner inside the box and with impressive composure shifted the ball onto her left foot and beat the keeper for what is already her 10th goal of the season.

The London side took control for the rest of the half, threatening Barça’s goal but running into an inspired Cata Coll. The Mallorcan keeper stopped one from Kaptein inside the area, and moments later the same player hit the post. This was followed by a power outage at the stadium that caused a brief stoppage, and little happened once the electric returned and the teams went to the break at 1–1.

Unrewarded dominance

The second half started very differently. Whereas possession had been evenly contested before the break, Barça took full control afterwards. But it wasn't leading to many clear-cut chances.

Home coach Sonia Bompastor’s plan seemed clear: organised defending and trying to threaten through fast transitions. It nearly worked, as Carpenter again came close down the right. Pere Romeu made changes, bringing on Aïcha Camara and Vicky López. Chelsea also introduced Macario, who scored off a free-kick, but sadly from an offside position.

Honours shared

Fatigue was evident in the final stages and the pace dropped after the earlier intensity, leading both teams to settle for the draw.

Barça Femeni will play again on Sunday, this time away to Levante at the Ciutat de València (6pm CET) in the Liga F.

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    MATCH STATS

    Chelsea, 1
    Barça, 1

    Chelsea: Peng, Bronze, Björn, Girma, Baltimore, Walsh, Carpenter, Kaptein, Cuthbert (Macario, 72'), Thompson, Beever-Jones. 

    Barça: Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, Brugts (Aïcha Camara, 63'), Laia Aleixandri, Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas (Sydney Schertenleib, 87'), Graham Hansen (Vicky López, 74'), Claudia Pina (Kika Nazareth, 87'), Pajor.

    Goals: 1-0, Carpenter (min 16); 1-1, Pajor (min 24).

    Referee: Tess Olofsson. 

    Força Barça