Real Madrid 2-2 Chelsea: Controversial draw frustrates Blues

Chelsea were left ruing their luck after opening their Women's Champions League campaign with a frustrating and controversial 2-2 draw at Real Madrid.

Olga Carmona's brace either side of Niamh Charles and Sam Kerr headers was enough to see a pulsating contest end level, despite the away side's overall dominance.

And frustration turned to anger at full-time after the Blues appeared to have a legitimate goal chalked off for offside with the final kick of the game.

Despite a bright start, Chelsea found themselves behind after 10 minutes when Carmona's long-range strike deflected off Millie Bright and beyond Ann-Katrin Berger.

That would be the hosts' only shot on target in the first period and a deserved equaliser arrived on the stroke of half-time when Charles headed home Ashley Lawrence's cross.

The chances kept coming for Emma Hayes' side after the interval, with Lauren James' introduction from the bench adding further spark to their forays forward.

It appeared only a matter of time before they took the lead and that moment came when the prolific Kerr nodded in fellow goalscorer Charles' cross.

However, Madrid drew level again via a debatable penalty — Jessie Fleming's challenge on Athenea del Castillo appearing to have started outside the area.

Carmona dispatched it and the hosts once again went into survival mode, with James striking the crossbar from 25 yards on 89 minutes.

With the thrilling encounter in its final seconds, Bright's long pass was expertly controlled and finished off by Charles for a dramatic late winner — until the officials intervened.

Replays showed the England ace to be several yards onside but a lack of VAR meant the goal was chalked off, much to the fury of Hayes and her players.