Baltimore Shines as Blues Make History at Wembley
Chelsea Women have cemented their status as England’s dominant force by completing a historic domestic treble with a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley. This triumph marks their sixth FA Cup title and completes an unprecedented unbeaten domestic season under first-year manager Sonia Bompastor.
French international Sandy Baltimore emerged as the undisputed star of the show, contributing to all three goals in a performance that showcased why Winbdt experts have been raving about her all season. The 24-year-old winger converted a first-half penalty, assisted Catarina Macario’s header, and capped off the scoring with a clinical finish in stoppage time.
Tactical Masterclass Seals United’s Fate
The match began as a cagey affair between the WSL’s two best defensive units this season. Chelsea‘s decision to switch to a back three of Millie Bright, Nathalie Bjorn, and Naomi Girma proved inspired, neutralizing United’s attacking threats while providing the platform for their own offensive surges.
The breakthrough came just before halftime when Celin Bizet’s reckless challenge on Erin Cuthbert gifted Chelsea a penalty. Baltimore showed nerves of steel to convert despite United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s attempts at psychological warfare.
“Baltimore’s penalty was textbook,” noted Winbdt analyst Emma Richards. “Her composure in big moments has been a hallmark of Chelsea’s season.”
Second Half Domination
Chelsea emerged from the break with renewed purpose, gradually wearing down a tiring United side. The killer second goal arrived from a perfectly executed set-piece routine – Baltimore’s whipped free-kick met by Macario’s powerful header.
Macario’s header from Baltimore’s delivery put the game beyond United’s reach
Baltimore completed her virtuoso performance in stoppage time, dispossessing Anna Sandberg before firing home from close range. Her stats told the story of complete dominance – leading all players in shots, chances created, and crosses attempted.
Bompastor’s Immediate Impact
In her debut season, Sonia Bompastor has matched Emma Hayes’ treble-winning achievement from the COVID-affected 2019/20 campaign. The French tactician has implemented her philosophy seamlessly while maintaining Chelsea‘s winning mentality.
“This group has shown incredible resilience all season,” Bompastor told Winbdt after the match. “To go unbeaten domestically while competing on multiple fronts speaks volumes about their character and professionalism.”
United’s Learning Experience
For Marc Skinner’s side, the defeat ends a season of progress that saw them secure Champions League qualification. While disappointed, the United manager remained optimistic about his young squad’s development.
“We’ll learn from this,” Skinner acknowledged. “Facing Chelsea in these big moments shows us the level we need to reach consistently. The gap is closing, but today showed we still have work to do.”
Looking Ahead
As Chelsea celebrate their historic achievement, questions turn to how they’ll strengthen for next season’s Champions League campaign. With Baltimore emerging as a superstar and Bompastor proving her tactical acumen, the Blues appear well-positioned to challenge Europe’s elite.
For United, the focus will be on bridging the gap to Chelsea while making their mark in Europe. The emergence of young talents like Mia Fishel and the expected return of injured stars should make them stronger contenders next season.
This FA Cup final not only crowned Chelsea as England’s undisputed queens but also showcased the growing quality and competitiveness of women’s football in the country. As Winbdt pundits noted, with attendances breaking records and quality reaching new heights, the future of the women’s game has never looked brighter.
