Kaptein's early strike seals narrow Chelsea win

Wieke Kaptein's 11th-minute goal proved enough as Chelsea edged Austria Vienna in their Champions League opener.

What happened. Wieke Kaptein scored after 11 minutes to give Chelsea a 1-0 win over Austria Vienna in their opening Women's Champions League league-phase match. The victory was far from comfortable for Chelsea despite the early goal.

• Chelsea's personnel costs for 2024/25 were €17m, higher than Austria Vienna's entire club costs of €14.9m.
• Austria Vienna manager Stefan Kenesei has a full-time job in state pensions insurance.
• The match was described as a David v Goliath encounter due to the financial gulf.

“Chelsea Women’s personnel costs alone for the 2024/25 season, at a cool €17m, were higher than those of the entire Austria club (€14.9m)”

— ORF (Austrian broadcaster)

Chelsea will look to build on this winning start as the Champions League league phase continues.

In this story

ChelseaAustria Vienna

More to read

BBC Sport

Kaptein scores stunning long-range goal in Chelsea win

The Guardian

Chelsea v Austria Vienna: Women’s Champions League – live

CaughtOffside

Marca: Real Madrid player was wanted by Liverpool and Chelsea this summer

CaughtOffside

Chelsea not considering Barcelona interest in winger after Alonso’s “private conversations”