Hacken stun Real Madrid to top women’s CL group

PARIS: Katariina Kosola completed Hacken´s comeback to stun Real Madrid 2-1 on Thursday and remain top of Group D in the women´s Champions League.

Striker Signe Bruun had opened the scoring early on for the Spaniards before midfielder Rosa Kafaji equalised for the Swedish side just before the hour. With less than a quarter of an hour to play, Finland defender Kosola claimed the winner in Gothenburg to continue Hacken´s unbeaten start to the campaign, after two games.

“We were very humble before the task we had, which was to win against Real Madrid,” Hacken coach Mak Lind said. “We lifted ourselves in the second half and I´m very, very happy,” he added.

Elsewhere in the group, Australia´s Sam Kerr scored a superb hat-trick for Chelsea as they easily overcame Paris FC 4-1. Kerr´s third effort was a sublime lob, capping off a fine display from the Blues´ captain before Wales defender Sophie Ingle scored her side´s fourth goal in injury time.

The game was played at Chelsea men´s home ground of Stamford Bridge in front of just 5,000 people and 35,000 empty seats. It was moved from the women´s side´s Kingsmeadow home as it fails to meet UEFA standards.

Roma lead Group C after beating Ajax 3-0 in Italy thanks to Valentina Giacinti´s double inside the opening quarter of an hour. Midfielder Manuela Giugliano made sure of three points just after the break for the Italians.

In the other game in the pool, Sweden defender Magdalena Eriksson scored as German champions Bayern Munich edged Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the French capital. Home fans carried out a pre-match protest against the early kick-off in the French capital, unfurling a banner reading “Prestigious game, amateur timing, welcome to UEFA.” On Wednesday, Salma Paralluelo netted twice as holders Barcelona beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 to remain top of Group A.