CATARINA Macario fired home two second-half penalties to beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano on Tuesday night and send Chelsea into the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
Sonia Bompastor’s Blues trailed 1-0 to Scotland forward Caroline Weir’s seventh-minute opener before the boss made a match-changing half-time substitute, sending on Macario for Mayra Ramirez.
Macario was fouled byOlga Carmona for the first penalty in the 51st minute and she was successful from twelve yards again five minutes later after Carmona had handled.
Chelsea won Group B with six wins out of six.
“I went out knowing what I had to do. I wanted to have a positive impact and give my all, to give my team more options and bring energy,” Macario said.
“In the first half Real Madrid had a great performance. We needed to have more possession and I was prepared to change that. Looking ahead to the draw, it doesn’t matter who comes. We are confident in our abilities.”
“She changed the game and she showed tonight she was a world-class player,” Bompastor said. “I’m eally pleased with her performance. I know her potential. I know what she can bring.
“I was not happy at half-time. I said: ‘We need to be on the same page, we only have 45 minutes to achieve our goal and after you will be on your vacation so just give everything you have.’”
“I’m really pleased with the result, we said we wanted to finish top of the table – really important for us mentally.
“First half was a bit difficult. We played four games in December. The players are just so exhausted. It’s too much for them mentally and physically.”
Bompastor was asked about the January transfer window. She said: “It’s the right time now, me as a coach but also the club, to reflect on our squad. Maybe we will be looking for some modifications. When it will be the right time I will tell you what we can change.”
The two-legged quarter-finals are in March after February’s draw.
Chelsea’s next competitive fixture is at home to Charlton Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, January 12.
