Chelsea Edge Austria Wien 1-0 in Champions League Opener — SkimNews
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- Wieke Kaptein latched onto a loose ball 25 yards from goal in the 12th minute and hammered a rasping effort in off the underside of the bar, the only goal in Chelsea's 1-0 Champions League win over Austria Wien at Plough Lane on September 23, 2026.
- Keira Walsh was forced off injured after 20 minutes, replaced by Potter, leaving Chelsea sweating over her availability for Sunday's WSL home game against Arsenal, live on Sky Sports.
- Austria Wien repeatedly threatened an equalizer, with Louise Schoffel curling a low shot inches wide in the 41st minute and Modesta Uka crashing a 77th-minute strike against the post from the corner of the area.
- Sjoeke Nusken should have put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd minute but volleyed over from 10 yards after a Carpenter cross, leaving Chelsea's nerves frayed.
- Goalkeeper Livia Peng survived a major scare when she fumbled a short-corner routine and palmed the ball back into the danger zone, though Virginia Kirchberger lifted the rebound over the bar.
- Chelsea managed the match without conceding despite five near-misses for the visitors, underscoring the gap in quality between a Women's Champions League contender and a side operating well below that level.
Why it matters: Chelsea bank three Champions League points but the Walsh injury after just 20 minutes leaves them vulnerable heading into Sunday's WSL showdown with Arsenal — a match they cannot afford to approach without their midfield anchor given how easily Austria Wien's counters cut through their back line.
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