Chelsea failed to capitalise on a dominant display in their Women’s Champions
League opener as they were held to a 1-1 draw away against Twente.
Sonia Bompastor made seven changes to the side that drew with Manchester United last Friday and despite creating a host of chances in Enschede her side were forced to settle for a point.
Even that had looked in jeopardy when the home side took the lead against the run of play just past the hour mark, Danique van Ginkel sending a wonderful finish into the top corner, before Sandy Baltimore’s penalty rescued the Blues.
Aggie Beever-Jones heads at goal during Chelsea’s Champions League game with FC Twente
Chelsea ought to have fallen behind after 11 minutes to a rare Twente opening, Leonie Vliek playing a clever one-two with Jill Roord to make space to shoot but inexplicably opting to pass, allowing Ellie Carpenter to recover and make the clearance.
Sjoeke Nusken then back heeled inches past the post from Maika Hamano’s cut-back before Oriane Jean-Francois teed up Hamano who blazed over from a good position on the edge of the penalty area.
Twente goalkeeper Diede Lemey produced an excellent save to keep out Nusken’s volley after Guro Reiten’s cross was half-cleared. The hosts’ keeper added to her show reel with a smart stop to keep out Reiten from close range before half-time.
Bompastor’s side thought they had taken the lead after the break when Alyssa Thompson smashed Nusken’s pass past Lemey, only for the offside flag to put an abrupt end to the visitors’ celebrations.
It was a wonderful finish that gave Twente the lead, Van Ginkel collecting the ball and sending a superbly hit, curling drive around Mille Bright and into Livia Peng’s top corner.
Chelsea were rescued 20 minutes from the end when Reiten was tripped inside the box giving Baltimore the chance to level from the penalty spot, which she duly took, slipping the ball into the bottom corner.