Catarina Macario marked her long-awaited Chelsea debut with a goal, ending 20 months of injury troubles in style as Chelsea secured a 4-0 victory over Leicester in the Women’s Super League.
The Women’s Super League leaders, managed by Emma Hayes, went back ahead of Manchester City on goal difference with the win. They were already 3-0 up in the 73rd minute when Macario took to the pitch for the first time since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in June 2022, beaming with joy.
Macario’s goal came just five minutes into her debut, as she latched onto Aggie Beever-Jones’ pass in the box and finished sharply to make her mark as a Blues player.
Her goal was the icing on the cake after strikes from Nathalie Bjorn, a first in the WSL from Mayra Ramirez, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Chelsea started the game with lightning pace, with Guro Reiten going close within 10 seconds of kick-off. Jelena Cankovic also had a header that needed a brave block from Josie Green.
The deadlock was broken from a Chelsea corner in the 38th minute when Nathalie Bjorn managed to stretch and hook the ball over the melee to deceive Green.
Ramirez added to Leicester’s woes by scoring just before halftime, rounding Lize Kop after robbing Julie Thibaud just inside her own half.
In the second half, Ramirez continued to threaten Leicester’s defense, with Kaneryd also getting on the scoresheet with a deflected effort.
Despite a fine diving save from Kop to deny Sjoeke Nusken, Chelsea had more to celebrate when Macario scored shortly after coming off the bench, capping off a memorable comeback from injury.