Sam Kerr at centre of controversy after Chelsea 'robbed' in Champions League

Sam Kerr and her Chelsea side have been controversially denied a late winner over Real Madrid in the Champions League after the Aussie star was ruled offside on the final kick of the game. Chelsea kicked off their group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw against Hayley Raso's Real Madrid on Wednesday, with Kerr scoring a trademark header.

The Matildas captain headed home from six yards out in the 74th minute of the bumper Group D clash, with national teammate Raso coming on as a substitute in the 89th for Real. But Kerr and Chelsea had a last-second winner ruled out in controversial scenes after the Aussie star was found to be offside.

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Niamh Charles bundled the ball into the net from a cross from Millie Bright, but Kerr was found to be offside when the cross came in. Because the Aussie star attempted to get to the ball and distracted two defenders, the goal was ruled out.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was fuming on the sideline, blowing up at the fourth official as the game ended 2-2. The Chelsea Women's Daily account wrote on social media: "Niamh Charles puts the ball in the back of the net at the last minute. Sam Kerr doesn't interfere with the play. The goal was ruled out for offside......

"UEFAdrid might just also be true in women's football and not just men's alone. Absolute shocking major decisions today against Chelsea."

However others pointed out that Kerr was indeed offside and played a part in taking the defenders' focus off Charles, who put the ball in. Charles had earlier levelled the score at 1-1 in the 41st minute and then turned provider for Chelsea's second. The England left-back produced an expert cross for Kerr to head home with 16 minutes remaining.

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Spanish international defender Olga Carmona scored both goals for Real Madrid, including a controversial penalty with 10 minutes remaining. Chelsea thought Carmona was brought down outside the box, which would have been a free kick rather than penalty.

"We dominated the game and then we went 2-1 up. Then there is the free-kick that was awarded as a penalty," Hayes said afterwards. "Then we score a legitimate goal. I cannot understand the decision whatsoever. I think we’ve been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game.

"We’ve had chances [to score more], so we should be disappointed with ourselves, but I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in a game like that when two humongous decisions have gone against us. That’s a lot, tonight."

In Amsterdam, Aussie defender Clare Hunt played 82 minutes as her Paris Saint-Germain side were beaten 2-0 by Ajax. Fellow Matildas player Aivi Luik played a full game in her Swedish side Hacken's 2-1 win at Paris FC, for whom Aussie midfielder Sarah Hunter remained on the bench, while Bayern Munich and Roma drew 2-2 in Germany.

with agencies

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