Macario was introduced at halftime and scored two penalties as the Blues came from behind to secure three points against Las Blancas
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Chelsea defeat Real Madrid in UWCLCatarina Macario scores twiceUSWNT striker in fine formFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
USWNT striker Catarina Macario continued her impressive form since her return from significant injury, scoring a brace as a halftime substitute on penalties to help Chelsea came from behind to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in the UEFA Women's Champions League Tuesday.
The gained momentum from her substitution, with both goals coming off her boot, but her introduction truly changed the match — eventually handing Chelsea a crucial three points in their Group Stage finale.
Sonia Bompastor's perfect record in London was in serious jeopardy until Macario's heroics, and as a result, the end their Group Stage campaign atop the standings in the first place spot. Now, they'll now face a Group Stage runner-up in the quarterfinals in 2025 instead of a Group winner.
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Macario's return to form with Chelsea has been nothing short of brilliant in 2024-25, after two-plus seasons riddled with injuries on the sideline.
On Dec. 11, the striker scored her first UWCL goal since 2022 with Lyon, and it arrived after 641 days on the sideline due to a gruesome ACL tear that sidelined her through March, 2024. A few lingering injuries followed after her return last Spring, including a minor one that forced her out of Emma Hayes' USWNT roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, she's returned back to her best in recent months since the start of the WSL season, and looks to be finding her nose for goal once again, too.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MACARIO?
The don't return to the pitch until the new year, with their next appearances being Jan. 12 in the FA Cup. Their next WSL match arrives on Sunday, Jan. 19 against West Ham United while their next UWCL opponent remains to be determined until the knockout stage draw.
Macario, meanwhile, has three goals in her last two UWCL matches and looks to break out into the XI come 2025.