Chelsea Stage Second-Half Comeback to Sink Wolfsburg

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY — Sam Kerr's towering header in the 64th minute completed Chelsea's comeback from behind, as the seventh-placed Blues secured a crucial 1-2 victory at the AOK Stadion. The Australian striker rose majestically to meet Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's cross, directing her header into the top left corner to seal three vital points in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

The match began disastrously for Chelsea when Alexandra Popp struck early for the hosts. The German captain latched onto Janou Levels' assist in the 16th minute, firing a clinical left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner. Chelsea's response came on the stroke of halftime when Lucy Bronze powered home a header from very close range, converting Erin Cuthbert's corner delivery to level proceedings at 1-1. The momentum shifted decisively after the break when Kerr produced her match-winning moment, ghosting between defenders to nod past Stina Johannes and send the travelling support into raptures.

The tactical battle centered around Chelsea's ability to convert their opportunities against Wolfsburg's wasteful finishing. Despite the teams sharing possession almost equally at 49.5%-50.5%, the clinical difference proved decisive. Keira Walsh orchestrated Chelsea's midfield, though she required treatment for an injury late on, while Lucy Bronze's defensive solidity complemented her attacking contribution. Johannes was kept busy throughout, making 7 saves to keep Wolfsburg competitive, denying efforts from Erin Cuthbert and Keira Walsh as Chelsea pressed for the winner.

Despite 20 attempts, VfL Wolfsburg managed just 3 on target, highlighting their frustrating afternoon in front of goal. Chelsea's superior shot accuracy told the story—9 of their 16 efforts tested Johannes, demonstrating their clinical edge. The Blues also edged the disciplinary count with 2 yellow cards to Wolfsburg's 1, with Sandy Baltimore and Lena Lattwein both cautioned in a competitive second half. The 7 corners to 9 split reflected Wolfsburg's territorial pressure without the cutting edge to capitalize.

The turning point arrived in the 64th minute when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd delivered a perfect cross from the right flank. Kerr's positioning and timing proved impeccable, exploiting space between Guro Bergsvand and Camilla Küver to power her header beyond Johannes' reach. Wolfsburg threw everything forward in the closing stages, with Alexandra Popp's 88th-minute header narrowly missing and Janou Levels seeing a 90th-minute effort blocked, but Chelsea's defensive resolve held firm through eight minutes of stoppage time.

Looking ahead, Chelsea will host West Ham United on January 11, seeking to build momentum from this hard-fought continental victory.