... I managed to get it working by using chomp on $list.

I'm sure you realize this, but just in case: chomp removes a trailing record-separator sequence (newline by default), if present, from a string.

I'll check the return of open just for educational. purposes though [sic] [emphasis added]

To reiterate JavaFan's earnest plea, do yourself an enormous favor and always check the return status of open or any other operation having a 'status' that can be checked! What you will learn is that this practice is a good way to avoid headaches.