Olga Carmona struck an early blow to the Blues with a deflected effort from range inside 10 minutes, but we remained calm under pressure and levelled five minutes before half-time when Niamh Charles headed home from a wonderful Ashley Lawrence cross.

Chelsea continued to grow into the game and were on top for much of the second half. We took the lead when Charles added an assist to her goal, floating a lovely cross for Kerr to power in a header at the back post. However, a dubious penalty awarded against Jessie Fleming allowed Carmona to equalise from the spot.

There was late frustration in Spain, too, as first Lauren James was denied a winner by the crossbar, and then deep into injury time Charles scored again, only for the flag to go up for offside, even though she herself was well onside.

Defence to attack

Emma Hayes made two changes from the 3-0 victory over Everton in the Women’s Super League on Sunday. Lawrence replaced Eve Perisset in a like-for-like change at full back, while Fran Kirby came in for Jelena Cankovic to form the first starting XI of our Champions League campaign.

Our hosts got the game underway on a mild night under the lights at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. The majority of our attacking moves were coming down the right flank where Lawrence and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd were combining with Kirby and looking to cause the Madrid backline a headache.

However, it was Madrid who broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes. Carmona received the ball on the edge of the box, taking one touch before unleashing a left-footed strike which took a deflection, wrong-footing Ann-Katrin Berger and nestling into the bottom corner.

Despite the early setback, the Blues continued to take a patient approach. With half-an-hour played, we came close to drawing ourselves level. Kirby slotted a lovely pass into the right channel for Kerr, who composed herself before unleashing a strike that was tipped around the post by Misa in the Madrid goal.

We dominated the ball in the closing exchanges of the half and conjured an equaliser five minutes before the break courtesy of Charles. The left-back made an intelligent run across her marker to meet a teasing cross from Lawrence, heading the ball beyond Misa as defence became the attack.

Blues on top

It was a lively start to the second half and the Blues had the bit between their teeth, pressing with purpose and we almost completed the comeback five minutes after the restart. Kerr showed great tenacity to outmuscle her marker, but Misa was equal to the Australian’s effort on goal.

Our attacking play was eye-catching, free-flowing, and interchanges between players looked effortless at times. Lauren James was introduced in place of Kirby with 25 minutes to play and with the game hanging in the balance, the next goal would be hugely significant.

With 15 minutes to play, we turned the game on its head and got our noses in front. Charles turned provider with another trademark cross from the left, which lingered in the air before dropping for Kerr, who was waiting to head home from close range to put us in the driving seat.

However, our hard work was undone when we conceded a penalty just minutes later, which Carmona dispatched for her second of the evening to bring the hosts level. We were made to feel hard done by with the foul appearing to have been committed outside the box.

Frustrating finish

That set up a tense finale to the match with things delicately balanced. It was Chelsea who came closest to grabbing a late winner. First James had the beating of Misa with a looping effort, only to see it come back off the crossbar and Fleming unable to get the rebound on target.

We were even unluckier not to take the victory with effectively the last touch of the game. It was Charles again slotting in from a ball over the top by Bright in the fifth added minute. The goal was harshly disallowed, though, as Kerr was deemed to have been interfering with play from an offside position, despite not touching the ball.

What it means

Chelsea and Real Madrid both take their first point of this season's Champions League group stage, sitting joint second in the table. Hacken's 2-1 win away at Paris means they sit top of Group D after matchday one.

What’s next?

It’s another quick turnaround before our next match which sees us return to domestic action against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in the Barclays Women’s Super League this Saturday 18 November.

Kick-off is scheduled for 1.30pm (UK time) and for supporters who are unable to attend the match, this will be available to watch live on the BBC.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Berger; Lawrence, Bright (c), Carter, Charles; Nusken, Cuthbert, Kirby (James 63); Rytting Kaneryd, Fleming, Kerr
Unused Subs: Musovic, Hampton, Fishel, Nouwen, Ingle, Perisset, Mjelde, Buchanan, Cankovic, Beever-Jones
Scorers: Charles 40, Kerr 74

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Misa; Oihane, Ivana (c), Kathellen, Olga; Toletti, Teresa (Olofsson 89); Athenea, Zornoza (Oroz 60), Caicedo (Raso 89); Bruun (Feller 71)
Unused Subs: Chavas, Tellez, Robles, Rocio, Moller, Svava, Olaya, Lopez
Scorer: Carmona 10, 78
Booked: Toletti 45, Kathellen 90

Referee: Frida Klarlund