Matildas star Ellie Carpenter was named player of the match after scoring a screamer in a clash between Women’s Champions League heavyweights Chelsea and Barcelona that ended 1-1.
Starting in a more advanced role at right midfield, with England superstar Lucy Bronze behind her, Carpenter opened the scoring after a brilliant run and even better finish, squeezing the ball home at the near post in the 16th minute.
Chelsea didn’t hold the lead for long, with Ewa Pajor equalising for Barcelona eight minutes later, with the score line holding until full time.
However, things could have been different, with Carpenter agonisingly missing a glorious chance from close range late on to win it for her side.
“It was a beautiful ball from Aggie [Beever-Jones] to start with, and then I just saw space in front of me and just hit it. I’ve been wanting to shoot a bit more and take my shots when I get them,” Carpenter told the BBC.
“Everybody has been telling me to shoot. I’m proud to get that first goal and get the momentum going.
“It’s a little disappointing, I think we deserved to win that game, we had chances we could have converted.
“I’m very proud of the team performance, we stuck to the game plan and brought it to Barcelona. We showed what this team is capable of when we a really playing our roles. I’m proud for the point but disappointed we didn’t get three.
“We weren’t as clinical as we would have liked. But it was a great team effort and a game we can build on.
“We didn’t start the campaign as well as we would have liked, but this was a massive team performance and a boost to our confidence.”
✨️ Ellie Carpenter vs. Barcelona
🥅 90 minutes
👟 72 touches
⚽️ 1 goal
👟 38/45 passes completed (84%)
🪄 2/4 successful dribbles
👟 4 passes into the final third
🧹 2 clearances
🚫 3 interceptions
🏃♀️ 6 recoveries
⚔️ 5/8 ground duels won pic.twitter.com/yAmMU39qir
— stats of woso (@statsofwoso) November 20, 2025
On Carpenter’s goal, teammate Bronze told BBC: “What a strike it is. Ellie is full of confidence at the minute.
“The run especially, we know that is what her strengths are, running in behind. A lot of us might have though she was going to pass to Alyssa, but what a finish that is.”
The goal was the highlight of an excellent performance from Carpenter, who had 72 touches in total, completed 38 of her 45 passes and added three interceptions, two clearances and six recoveries.
Her Matildas and Chelsea teammate Sam Kerr was rested for this match, with coach Sonia Bampastor saying it was a planned part of her recovery plan.
“Sam is fine, she will probably be going with the national team next week,” Bompastor said.
“But she’s not available for us again. It’s just a case of managing her comeback.
“She got 90 minutes (against St Polten) and it was part of the plan for her to rest a little bit after than and not be involved in the following two games.”
After four matchweeks in the Champions League, Chelsea sit sixth on the ladder, while Barcelona are top, level with powerhouse Lyon.