Chelsea delivered a statement performance in Austria as they swept aside St. Pölten with a commanding 6–0 victory, showcasing both attacking fluency and disciplined control throughout the match. From the opening minutes, the Blues dictated the tempo, carving open the hosts with movement and precision while limiting St. Pölten to sporadic counterattacks. Goals from Kaptein, Macario, Kerr and James highlighted the visitors’ depth and clinical edge, while their press forced errors and kept momentum firmly on their side. Despite several strong saves from goalkeeper Schlüter, St. Pölten had no answer to Chelsea’s sustained pressure as the English champions ran out emphatic winners.
Match Highlights
Wieke Kaptein opened the scoring for Chelsea.
Catarina Macario doubled the lead and scored the 3-0 from the spot.
Exceptional performance by goalkeeper Schlüter.
Sam Kerr is back with a UWCL Brace.
Lauren James scored the 5-0.
Source: UEFA Chelsea Women
Wieke Kaptein Opened the Scoring
Chelsea stamped their authority on the opening stages in St. Pölten, dominating possession and dictating the tempo. Yet while the visitors enjoyed most of the ball, the Austrian side looked dangerous whenever Chelsea left spaces open, pressing for mistakes and trying to break quickly when opportunities emerged.
The first major chance of the afternoon fell to Sam Kerr after St. Pölten failed to clear their lines, though Chelsea couldn’t quite force the ball over. But in the 13th minute the pressure finally paid off. Macario released Rytting Kaneryd and Carpenter, and it was the Australian full-back who drove on and delivered a perfectly placed low cross across the face of goal. Wieke Kaptein arrived right on cue to sweep home the opener, giving Chelsea a deserved lead.
Naomi Girma Goal Denied
The visitors thought they had doubled the advantage when Sam Kerr nodded a Macario free kick across goal for Naomi Girma to head off the post and in on the rebound. However, celebrations were cut short as the goal was eventually ruled out for what seemed to be off side.
St. Pölten couldn’t hold out much longer, though. In the 43rd minute Chelsea’s second did arrive, this time without controversy. Rytting Kaneryd fed Catarina Macario, who drove into the box with purpose and fired a low, clinical strike into the bottom-right corner.
Just before the interval, Rytting Kaneryd nearly added a third, only to be denied from close range by an excellent stop from goalkeeper Schlüter. Chelsea headed into the break with a well-earned 2–0 lead and full control of the match.
Source: UEFA SKN Polten
Chelsea Keep Fighting for More
St. Pölten goalkeeper Schlüter continued her outstanding performance after the break, producing two sharp saves early in the second half and building on an already impressive first-half display. Her efforts kept the hosts afloat during a positive spell of pressure, but Chelsea soon reasserted control. Their dominance was rewarded when Krizaj brought down Thompson in the box, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Catarina Macario stepped up with composure, calmly converting to make it 3–0.
The pattern of the match remained unchanged, with Chelsea pressing relentlessly in search of further goals. In the 74th minute Sam Kerr finally added her name to the scoresheet. Receiving the ball from Kaptein and surrounded by two defenders, she showed strength and balance to work the ball into space before firing clinically into the net.
The scoreline mirrored the flow of the game, with Chelsea’s control leaving St. Pölten little room to breathe. Lauren James added a fourth in the 86th minute, her effort taking a heavy deflection off a defender and leaving Schlüter, excellent throughout, with no chance. A sixth goal soon followed, almost inevitably, as Charles delivered a perfect cross into the box for Kerr to meet with a powerful header. Chelsea’s dominance was complete as they closed out a comfortable 6–0 victory.