Sam Kerr’s Chelsea have kicked off their Champions League group stage campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Hayley Raso’s Real Madrid, and the Australia captain played a major role in the Spanish capital as expected.

Kerr headed home in the 74th minute from six yards out in a bumper opening Group D clash, while her Matildas teammate Raso entered the contest on Wednesday night (Thursday Australian time) in the 89th.

A day after confirming she was leaving the Blues to take over as the US women’s national team coach, Emma Hayes was left frustrated when her side had a last-kick winner ruled out. Striker Kerr was flagged for offside, even though it was England left-back Niamh Charles who came from deep to sweep home.

Charles levelled at 1-1 in the 41st minute and turned provider for Chelsea’s second, crossing expertly for Kerr to head in with 16 minutes remaining.

Spanish international defender Olga Carmona scored both goals for the hosts, including a controversial penalty with 10 to go.

In Amsterdam, Australian defender Clare Hunt was replaced on 82 minutes as her Paris Saint-Germain side were beaten 2-0 by Ajax.

Another Matilda in Aivi Luik played a full game in her Swedish side Hacken’s 2-1 win at Paris FC, for whom Aussie midfielder Sarah Hunter remained on the bench, while Bayern Munich and Roma drew 2-2 in Germany.