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Chelsea will feel hard done as a controversial penalty decision cost them maximum points in their Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
Chelsea fought back from going 1-0 down and went 2-1 up, but had to settle for shared spoils at the end of the day after a dodgy penalty call in favour of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid women hosted Chelsea at the Cuidad Madrid for their Champions League group stage opener. Alberto Torill's side came into the match with a set game plan, as they looked to defend well and catch their more accomplished hosts on the break.
This set-up worked like a charm in the opening exchanges, and Los Blancos soon found the lead through an Olga Carmona strike that took a deflection before landing at the back of the net.
Chelsea intensified pressure and after spurning a truckload of chances, they eventually got the equaliser just before half-time, when Ashley Lawrence delivered an inch-perfect cross for her fellow full-back Niamh Charles, who headed the ball across Misa Rodriguez and into the net.
The second 45 was all Chelsea, and Australian striker Sam Kerr, who had been quiet for most of the game, thought she handed Chelsea the winner in the 74th minute.
However, a foul on Athanea del Castillo just outside the box was given as a penalty for Real Madrid, and World Cup hero Carmona stepped up, burying the ball past Ann Katherine-Berger.
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Again, Chelsea thought they scored the winner when another late Niamh's run led to the ball ending at the back of the net, but the flag went up for offside.
Real Madrid escaped with a point and will head into the El Clasico this weekend feeling confident, having given one of the best teams in the women's game a bloody nose.
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