Chelsea 2-1 Real Madrid: Chaves' own goal secures Blues' spot in Women's UCL

Chelsea's victory over Real Madrid was perhaps the perfect summation of how their season has so far unfolded. Gritty and determined with moments of brilliance. But equally, at times, unconvincing.

Chelsea nearly threw this game away when they allowed Real to equalise shortly after Guro Reiten had put them ahead from the penalty spot just past the hour mark.

But a stroke of luck and a goalkeeping error gave them victory a minute after the Spaniards had levelled.

Erin Cuthbert's deflected cross should have been easily caught by Mylene Chavas, but the goalkeeper could only palm the ball into her own net.

It was not pretty, but it was enough. The important thing is that Chelsea's place in the knockouts is now confirmed. That it came in front of a record crowd at Stamford Bridge for a group stage fixture is an extra bonus.

The Blues have all but topped their group too, with the Blues three points ahead of second place Hacken going into their final game against Paris FC next week.

Sat in the stands was Colombian forward Mayra Ramirez, who is set to join for a club record fee from Spanish side Levante.

With Sam Kerr ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Emma Hayes knows she needs another prolific striker in her ranks if she is to win this competition before she leaves at the end of the campaign.

Mia Fishel and Aggie Beever-Jones are both young, exciting prospects, but Ramirez can perhaps provide the spark that was often lacking from Chelsea's attacks here.

The Champions League is the one competition that Hayes has left to win with Chelsea and while she will not go as far to say it - this is the trophy she really wants to lift this season.

To do that, they will have to play better than this.

Real