Chelsea Women opened their Champions League league-phase campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Austria Wien at Plough Lane.
Wieke Kaptein produced the decisive moment after only 11 minutes, collecting a loose ball around 25 yards from goal before sending a superb strike in off the crossbar.
Sonia Bompastor’s side had opportunities to increase their advantage but were made to work considerably harder than expected by the Austrian champions.
Modesta Uka eventually struck the post late on as Chelsea survived a major scare to secure three points.
Wieke Kaptein gives Chelsea spectacular start
Chelsea entered the game as strong favourites after Austria Wien came through four qualifying matches to reach the Champions League league phase for the first time.
Kaptein nearly opened the scoring even earlier when her low effort was saved after Alyssa Thompson’s cut-back.
She did not have to wait long for another opportunity.
Sandy Baltimore’s attacking run was stopped by a challenge, but the loose ball fell kindly for Kaptein, who took a touch before firing an unstoppable effort off the underside of the bar.
UEFA later named Kaptein Player of the Match, with the midfielder’s strike ultimately proving enough to give Chelsea a winning start to the league phase.
Melvine Malard headed narrowly wide as Chelsea pushed for a second, but the game became increasingly uncomfortable after the break.
Austria Wien make Chelsea work for three points
Austria Wien repeatedly threatened to punish Chelsea for failing to put the contest beyond them.
That was exactly the issue Bompastor had highlighted before the Champions League opener, with Chelsea’s head coach demanding greater efficiency after another dominant domestic performance against Birmingham City.
Sjoeke Nüsken passed up a major opportunity to double the lead from Ellie Carpenter’s cross before Uka produced Austria’s clearest chance.
The forward broke forward in the 77th minute and struck the post with Livia Peng beaten.
Chelsea survived.
The only major negative came when Keira Walsh was forced off after just 20 minutes and replaced by Lexi Potter, creating a fresh fitness concern before Sunday’s WSL meeting with Arsenal.
Chelsea now turn their attention back to domestic football before travelling to France for their next European assignment.
Their Champions League schedule sends Bompastor back to former club OL Lyonnes on 30 September.
The performance against Austria Wien was far from comfortable, but Kaptein’s moment of quality ensured Chelsea begin that European campaign with the result that mattered most: three points.
