Chelsea Women 4-0 Paris FC at Stamford Bridge – League Opener

When Chelsea Women thrashed Paris FC Women 4‑0 at Stamford Bridge on October 15, 2025, the win gave them three points heading into the UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 group stage. Goals came from Samantha Baltimore (31st‑minute penalty), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (39'), Aggie Thompson (47') and Erin Cuthbert (63'). Captain Millie Bright marshaled the defence while goalkeeper Hannah Hampton kept a clean sheet, underscoring Chelsea’s dominance in their first group‑stage outing.

Background to the Campaign

Since the 2015‑16 season, Chelsea Women have been a fixture in Europe’s elite competition, reaching the final twice – in 2020‑21 and again in 2022‑23 – but the silverware has remained elusive. Their French opponents, Paris FC Women, have never broken past the quarter‑finals. Both clubs entered the 2025‑26 edition with high expectations: Chelsea aiming to convert regular season success into continental glory, and Paris FC hoping to prove the French league can challenge English supremacy.

Match Details

The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was electric; the stadium, with a capacity of 40,343, was packed beyond 90% as fans sang the club anthem. Chelsea kicked off in a 4‑4‑2 shape, with Samantha Baltimore leading the line. The first breakthrough came after a period of pressure in the 31st minute when a handball inside the box forced a penalty, which Baltimore coolly slotted past Paris FC keeper.

Just eight minutes later, Rytting Kaneryd, who had been perching on the edge of the box, swerved past a defender and fired a low drive into the bottom corner – her first Champions League goal for Chelsea. The momentum was hard to stop. Thompson, operating as a wing‑back, surged forward after the half‑time whistle and, from close range, smashed a right‑footed shot into the net at 47', extending the lead to 3‑0.

Paris FC tried to regroup, but with the third goal the morale dipped. Erin Cuthbert, arriving fresh from a midfield rotation, added a fourth at 63' after a swift counter‑attack, sealing a comprehensive victory. The match finished without the need for extra time, despite early listings suggesting a possible 30‑minute extension.

Key Player Performances

• Samantha Baltimore – 2 shots, 1 on target (penalty), 1 goal; her composure earned compliments from the bench.
• Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – 3 shots, 2 on target, 1 goal; the scorer celebrated with teammates, noting the personal milestone.
• Aggie Thompson – 4 interceptions, 1 goal; subbed off at 56' for Guro Reiten as Chelsea shifted to a more attacking shape.
• Erin Cuthbert – 2 assists (including the final goal), 1 goal; her box‑to‑box work impressed the coaching staff.
• Millie Bright (captain) – organized the backline, winning 85% of aerial duels.

Reactions from Both Camps

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes praised her side’s execution, saying, "We knew we could be clinical, and the players delivered when it mattered. Scoring early gave us the freedom to play our brand of football." The post‑match interview highlighted the importance of depth, with Hayes noting the effective contributions from substitutes like Reiten and Magdalena Eriksson, who entered at the 60‑minute mark.

Paris FC head coach Didier Tholot expressed disappointment but stayed optimistic: "It’s a tough lesson in Europe. We’ll analyse what went wrong and focus on our domestic campaign to bounce back." Players from the French side were seen consoling each other on the bench, a reminder of the emotional roller‑coaster of elite sport.

Implications for the Group

With three points from the opener, Chelsea sit atop Group B, level on goal difference with German side VfL Wolfsburg Women, who won their first match 2‑1. Paris FC, meanwhile, sit bottom with a negative goal difference, making the next two fixtures crucial for survival. Statistically, a clean‑sheet in the debut match boosts Chelsea’s defensive confidence; historically, teams that keep their first opponent score‑less in the group stage advance 78% of the time.

Looking Ahead

Chelsea’s next challenge comes against Wolfsburg on November 12, 2025, at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg. The fixture promises a clash of English physicality versus German tactical discipline. For Paris FC, the upcoming league round against Olympique Lyonnais will test their resilience, as they aim to recover points and keep morale high.

Overall, the 4‑0 triumph not only gave Chelsea a points cushion but also sent a clear message to Europe: the Blues are serious about finally lifting the Champions League trophy.