Catarina Macario helped Chelsea book their spot in the semifinals of the Women’s FA Cup as she came off the bench to score the game-winning goal in the team’s 1-0 victory over Everton at Walton Hall Park on Sunday.
While the U.S. women’s national team was stateside preparing for the final of the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup against Brazil, Macario and her Blues teammates made the journey up north to take on the Toffees as the Londoners are still on the path of completing the quadruple.
Everton did not make things easy for their guests as they came out from the whistle looking to pull off the upset. Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic was forced to make a few saves to keep the game scoreless. At the other end, Emma Hayes’ side could not get things going as their shots were not much of a threat.
The second half was much of the same as the hosts pushed for a goal and nearly came close when Elise Stenevik’s free-kick forced Musovic to make the save as she pushed the ball onto the bar.
Looking to shake things up, Hayes went to the bench and brought on Macario in the 63rd minute. The 24-year-old, who has been slowly brought back into the team after more than a year of recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, certainly made her presence known just minutes after stepping on the field.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd played the ball down the right side for Agnes Beever-Jones who dashed into the 18-yard box and delivered a pass to Macario to tap home with ease in the 66th minute.
That would be more than enough as Chelsea advanced to the next round of the cup competition to keep their quadruple hopes alive for another fight.
The Blues will next face Manchester United on April 14 with a spot in the final on the line.
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