Sam Kerr was at the centre of Chelsea’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Real Madrid on Thursday morning (AEDT), scoring in their opening UEFA Women’s Champions League contest in Spain.
Kerr gave Chelsea a 2-1 lead with a 74th-minute header, after Niamh Charles cancelled out Olga Carmona’s opener for the home side late in the first-half.
Charles broke down the left-hand side, before putting the ball on a platter for the Matildas captain, who rose highest to give Emma Hayes’ side a late advantage.
Kerr’s goal made her the first player in Women’s Champions League history to score 10 group stage goals.
However, Madrid were awarded a penalty only five minutes later when Jessie Fleming fouled Athenea del Castillo – seemingly outside the penalty area.
Carmona, who was the hero in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final for champions Spain, fired home from the spot.
There would be more drama late as Charles bundled home what looked to be the winner, but it was disallowed by the assistant referee. Despite the English full-back scoring from an onside position, the assistant thought Kerr interfered in the play from an offside position.
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in a game like that when two humongous decisions have gone against us,” Hayes said.
“I think we’ve been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game.
“We dominated the game and then we went 2-1 up. Then there is the free-kick that was awarded as a penalty. I could see from the bench that it was outside of the box so I’m absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn’t.
“Then we score a legitimate goal with Niamh Charles three or four yards onside. It’s embarrassing. I cannot understand the decision whatsoever.”
Asked about the controversy, Madrid boss Alberto Toril said: “I haven’t seen it on the field. It’s part of football. Sometimes you are on the other side and they hurt you.
“Like last year against Barcelona, when we lost due to an unfair penalty, or like the previous one in the quarterfinals. Now we have this.”
Matildas winger Hayley Raso also featured in the contest for Madrid, coming on in the 89th minute for Colombian star Linda Caicedo.
Meanwhile, Clare Hunt played 83 minutes in PSG’s 2-0 loss to Ajax, while Aivi Luik’s BK Hacken defeated Sarah Hunter’s Paris FC 2-1.
Luik played the whole 90 minutes, while Hunter was an unused substitute for Paris.