Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona result – Ewa Pajor cancels out Ellie Carpenter's goal as points shared in Women’s Champions League

Chelsea were forced to settle for a point against a below-par Barcelona side, who went top of the league phase in the UEFA Women’s Champions League following a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Looking to maintain their unbeaten run, Sonia Bampastor’s side went into the game with the daunting challenge against three-time champions and last year’s runners-up Barcelona, who had beaten them 4-1 in both legs of their semi-final in May.

But it was the home side who would break the deadlock through Ellie Carpenter, who scored her second goal of the season in all competitions. Aggie Beever-Jones would do brilliantly to hold up play at the halfway line before playing the Australian right-back through on goal, and she looked like a seasoned finisher as she blasted her effort into the top-left corner.

Barcelona would have the ball in the net just moments later, with Ewa Pajor flagged for offside in the box before slotting home after lovely build-up play.

The Poland international did not have to wait too long for another chance at goal as Claudia Pina’s precise corner into the box caused problems in the goalmouth, with the ball falling to the feet of Pajor to fire home.

Beever-Jones would look to get her side back ahead before half-time when Alyssa Thompson found the Chelsea academy graduate, whose low shot bounced off the upright, with no blue shirts looming in the box to score the rebound.

That would be the last opportunity for a while as the game was paused for 10 minutes after a power fault at Stamford Bridge, seeing the media crews and technical equipment impacted.

Chelsea would find the back of the net in the second half through apparent super-sub Catarina Macario, who had only just come off the bench seconds before, but VAR would rule the goal out for a narrow offside.

Goalscorer Carpenter would have a chance to put her side back ahead when she linked up with Macario but saw her effort flash wide of the post.

Barcelona moved top of the league phase but saw their winning streak come to an end at the hands of a Chelsea side, who continued their unbeaten start to the season and will look to extend their historic run after the international break when they face Everton on December 7.

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It ends all square at Stamford Bridge.

Barcelona go top of the league phase with a point, but it will be Chelsea who will be the more happy with their performance against a below-par Barca side and would have been left thinking they should have got more than a point.

But they're struggling to get the ball into the box as Barca struggle to clear the ball.

Still time for a winner.

It's played short by Cuthbert before it's swung into the box but it lands in the safe hands of Cata Coll as another chance goes begging.

Alexis Putellas is replaced by Sydney Schertenleib, whilst Claudia Pina is replaced by Kika Nazareth.

Two attacking changes, which might emphasise the job Chelsea have done at keeping their opponent's best players quiet.

But Peng is up to the task and makes the claim to the roar of the crowd behind her goal.

How aren't Chelsea ahead?!

It's beautiful play by Carpenter as she links up with Macario, who backheels her pass to lay it on a plate for Ellie Carpenter, but the Australian's shot flashes wide of the far post.

Barcelona win a free-kick, which is swung in by Mapi Leon, but Lucy Bronze heads it away from danger and the visitors are forced to rebuild.

Whilst we were waiting for VAR's decision, Barcelona make their second change of the evening as Vicky Lopez, who was dropped for tonight's game, comes on to replace Caroline Graham Hansen.

VAR disallows Macario's goal for offside.

It remains 1-1.

That might be the most instant of impacts I've ever seen in football as Catarina Macario's first touch puts Chelsea ahead as she bundles the ball home.

But the flag goes up and it's going to VAR - it looks like it could be centimetres.

Aggie Beever-Jones is replaced by Catarina Macario for Chelsea.

Aitana Bonmati needs little invitation to shoot from the outside of the box, but her effort bounces into the arms of Livia Peng.

It definitely feels like there's a goal still in this game but I'm none the wiser as to where it's going to come from.

Before that, the visitors made their first change of the evening.

Aicha Camara replaces Esmee Brugts.

As expected on the break, Ellie Carpenter drives forward and looks to replicate her goal in the first half but she sees her effort flash wide of the post.

It's very much all Barca on the ball at the moment as they look to turn up the gears and pile on the pressure in hopes of making it count.

So far, Chelsea have defended bravely and remain in this one ready for an opportunity on the break.

Don't count anything out.

It's a bad clearance by the Chelsea goalkeeper Peng, who fires the ball to the feet of a Barcelona shirt but Barca are unable to take advantage as Laia Aleixandri skies her shot over the goal.

Whilst we're yet to see a clear chance opportunity in this second half for either side, the game is very much continuing the way it ended.

Chelsea are making things uncomfortable for their visitors and looking to unnerve Barca on the attack, whilst Barcelona are looking to make use of their possession.