Sam Kerr has played a pivotal role as Chelsea overcame an early red card and two penalties against them in an impressive 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Women's Champions League last-16 tie.
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After a goalless first half, Kerr was fouled in the box for a penalty that was dispatched by Maren Mjelde and then the Matildas captain set up Fran Kirby for Chelsea's second goal.
It all came despite the Blues being a player down for most of the game after Sophie Ingle's early dismissal.
The hosts also had goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to thank for their commanding position heading into next week's second leg as she saved two penalties.
Ingle was sent off just 12 minutes in, leaving Emma Hayes' side with an uphill battle, but they were handed an immediate boost when Berger dived low to her right to save Deyna Castellanos' resulting spot-kick.
Despite Atletico's numerical advantage they could not push on to take the lead, with Chelsea finding the breakthrough when Mjelde scored from the penalty spot just before the hour mark, and Kirby added a second six minutes later.
"The leadership in my group is unbelievable. I don't know how many teams could go down to 10 against Atletico and do what we did," Hayes said.
"I don't think it was about resilience because we already have that - it was about discipline. I thought we were brilliant."
Chelsea had a chance to take an early lead inside five minutes but Ji So-Yun put the ball wide of the far post after being played through.
Atletico had an ideal opportunity to go ahead when Ingle fouled Rasheedat Ajibade, resulting in her red card, but Berger was able to deny Castellanos from the subsequent spot-kick.
The hosts came close to finding the breakthrough at the start of the second half when Kerr fired into the side netting after being played through on goal.
Mjelde converted from the spot after Kerr was brought down by Aissatou Tounkara inside the area to hand the Blues the advantage.
Kirby then doubled the Blues' lead, turning home a Kerr pass in the 64th minute.
However, 10 minutes from time, Atletico had the chance to score an important away goal when Berger brought down Ludmila da Silva.
However, the goalkeeper was able to make up for her error and diving away low to her left kept out Merel van Dongen's penalty.
Australian Associated Press
