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Chelsea have it all to do next week at Stamford Bridge after losing 4-1 to Barcelona - Getty Images/David Ramos
Barcelona 4 Chelsea 1
Chelsea need a miracle if they are to reach a first Champions League final in four years.
They had given themselves a lifeline when Sandy Baltimore’s goal halved the deficit in Barcelona. A 2-1 defeat in Spain would not have been the end of the world; it would have given them something to work with ahead of next weekend’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.
While 3-1 would have been difficult, it would not have been out of the question. But 4-1? That feels like mission impossible.
In truth, they were lucky not to concede more. Barcelona could have scored five or six goals and that is without including Alexia Putellas’s missed penalty in the first half.
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FC Barcelona’s Irene Paredes celebrates scoring their third goal - Reuters/Albert Gea
Chelsea will need to score three goals just to level the tie next week, without conceding. Based on their defending here, there is little chance of that happening.
Barcelona were a class above but Chelsea did not test them enough. This was a game where they were crying out for Lauren James’s ability to hold on to the ball. Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh, meanwhile, both struggled on their returns to their former club.
This may have been a week for football miracles, with Manchester United scoring three goals in seven minutes against Lyon to progress to the semi-final of the Europa League. But Lyon are not the best men’s team in the world. Barcelona showed why they are the dominant force in the women’s game and, barring a huge shock in London next week, they will have the chance to defend their European crown in Lisbon next month.
Match details
Barcelona Cata Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Maria Leon (Engen HT), Brugts (Rolfo 82), Aitana, Patri, Alesia, Graham (Pina 66), Pajor, Paralluelo (Vicky Lopez 89).
Booked Pina.
Chelsea Hampton; Bronze, Bjorn (Girma 81), Bright, Baltimore, Walsh, Cuthbert, Rytting-Kaneryd, Kaptein (Macário 61), Beever-Jones (Reiten 62), Ramirez (Nüsken 88).
Booked Ramirez, Macario.
07:29 PM BST
Barcelona 4 Chelsea 1
That’s everything from the blog, have a good evening.
07:29 PM BST
Lucy Bronze admits to Chelsea shortcomings
Lucy Bronze tells TNT Sports: “I think we let the game get away from us at the end. I think Barca were the better team over 90 minutes and deserved the win, but I think we maybe just let up too many goals at the end when we were trying to keep going, lost our rhythm a lot. Although we didn’t really get into it that much as much as we probably feel like we could have. And yeah, I think the rhythm was just the whole game was kind of played more with their style, whether that was, you know, on the ball, off the ball, the fouls that were given and things like that, I think it was more in line with the Spain rather than how we play in England.”
When asked about the late goals, Bronze said: “We saw how easy it was to get the goal that we got. I feel like we could have pushed to get another goal, but obviously in doing that we’ve left gaps the other way, we’ve tired ourselves out coming backwards. Maybe it’s been a bit more disjointed at the end. Obviously we had to make a few subs as well. You know, just kind of unsettled the rhythm they brought on fresh legs as well that changed their rhythm again. You know, Pina did really well when she came on. Yeah, probably let us get away from us at the end.”
07:15 PM BST
Fara Williams criticises “crazy” substitution before Barcelona third
Talking about making a substitution defending the corner which Barcelona scored from, Fara Williams says: “It’s absolutely crazy.
“We were brought up that you don’t make a substitution on a set piece, maybe in attack but definitely not in defending.
“You don’t make a substitution at that time in terms of organisation, communication - it all goes out the window.”
07:02 PM BST
Full time: Barcelona 4 Chelsea 1
Stay tuned for all the reaction to that result on the blog as we bring you quotes from pundits and managers following Chelsea’s heavy defeat in Spain.
Fara Williams says Chelsea were “naive” in how they acted after pulling one goal back, and said it was poor game management from Sonia Bompastor’s side.
Lucy Bronze yells at her teammates in the post-match huddle while Barcelona can rightfully congratulate themselves.
06:58 PM BST
Full time: Barcelona 4 Chelsea 1
Barcelona have come up against the best team in England and are likely to be leaving with a three-goal advantage.
Chelsea overcame a two-goal deficit against Manchester City, but this is another step up entirely.
Barcelona have not only controlled this match but showed their class and confidence.
It is Chelsea’s biggest defeat for 17 months, and the biggest Sonia Bompastor has faced since she took over as Chelsea manager.
06:56 PM BST
90+4 mins: Barcelona 4 Chelsea 1
The Barcelona fans are on their feet and chanting, and who can blame them?
Can Chelsea do anything in the final minute?
06:55 PM BST
90+2 mins: Barcelona 4 Chelsea 1
There are five minutes of injury time, can Barcelona make this even worse for Chelsea and Sonia Bompastor?
Lopez goes for goal, but it’s from quite a distance and straight at Hannah Hampton.
06:54 PM BST
GOAL! 90 mins: Barcelona 4 Chelsea 1
Chelsea look defeated, there are errors creeping in from everywhere.
Pina has her second of the match!
The shot deflects off Millie Bright and into the back of the net, but she was allowed far too much space in the box.
06:52 PM BST
90 mins: Barcelona 3 Chelsea 1
The ball from the left by Barcelona is perfect, and although no one is on the end of that cross, Barcelona win it back again and Pajor’s shot is just over the bar.
06:51 PM BST
88 mins: Barcelona 3 Chelsea 1
More substitutions, Mayra Ramirez is off for Sjoeke Nusken for Chelsea, while for Barcelona Paraluello is replaced by Vicky Lopez.
06:49 PM BST
86 mins: Barcelona 3 Chelsea 1
Cuthbert takes a corner for Chelsea, but it’s headed away by Barcelona.
Chelsea have a rare chance to build from the back with the hosts just sitting a little bit deeper now, as they then make their way into the positions they have taken up all game.
06:47 PM BST
84 mins: Barcelona 3 Chelsea 1
06:45 PM BST
GOAL! 81 mins: Barcelona 3 Chelsea 1
Barcelona have a corner, but before that Naomi Girma has come on for her Champions League debut, the million dollar signing has been injured for a while, and replaces Nathalie Bjorn.
But that has come at a cost to Chelsea, with Barcelona scoring from the corner!
It was a powerful header from Irene Paredes who only had eyes for the goal as she beat Lucy Bronze at the far post to head home.
06:43 PM BST
80 mins: Barcelona 2 Chelsea 1
There is another penalty check being undertaken by VAR, but play is going on and there is a drop ball for Hampton.
The goalkeeper has been holding the ball for a long time.
Barcelona win the ball back.
06:41 PM BST
79 mins: Barcelona 2 Chelsea 1
Hampton has to dive and make another save!
The ball was played perfectly to Pina on the left hand side of the box and she shoots, but the Chelsea goalkeeper is equal to it!
Another Chelsea player goes down.
06:38 PM BST
76 mins: Barcelona 2 Chelsea 1
06:37 PM BST
GOAL! 74 mins: Barcelona 2 Chelsea 1
Sandy Baltimore has scored out of nowhere!
Macario crosses the ball outside the box and across the field, Baltimore takes one touch and fires the ball into the back of the net!
Chelsea have not shown any signs of scoring all game, but they have halved the deficit!
06:36 PM BST
72 mins: Barcelona 2 Chelsea 0
06:34 PM BST
GOAL! - 70 mins: Barcelona 2 Chelsea 0
Barcelona have their second and it had been coming!
They just turned on another gear, Pina adds what could be crucial second.
She times her run perfectly to get onto the end of a well-weighted cross and tap the ball into the back of the net.
06:31 PM BST
68 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Barcelona make another change with Caroline Graham coming off for Claudia Pina.
Hampton is called into another save to deny Aitana Bonmati.
But more problematic for Chelsea is Erin Cuthbert is down and holding her knee.
06:27 PM BST
63 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Aitana Bonmati just kicks the ball too far to run on to it and it’s shepherded out for a goal kick by Millie Bright.
The game is just starting to fizzle out slightly, although Barcelona look so calm and relaxed.
06:25 PM BST
62 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Chelsea make two changes, **** Reiten and Catarina Macario coming on for Wieke Kaptein and Aggie Beever-Jones
06:23 PM BST
60 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
06:20 PM BST
57 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Aggie Beever-Jones tries to cross the ball but it sails over everyone and out for a goal kick.
That was too high and Chelsea are going to have to try and make the most of every rare chance they are getting. That just won’t be good enough to avoid going back to Stamford Bridge with a deficit.
06:18 PM BST
55 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Chelsea just cannot even keep the ball at the moment, never mind create anything of their own.
Barcelona’s passing is just so slick and they work hard and quickly off the ball to win it back whenever Chelsea can make an interception.
This is a football masterclass at the moment, although they have just the single goal advantage to show for it.
06:16 PM BST
53 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Guijarro tries her luck from the edge of the box, but her shot goes wide of the target, Barcelona are really putting the pressure on Chelsea around their penalty box.
06:14 PM BST
51 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
A rare misplaced pass out of the Barcelona defence skews off a Chelsea player, but there are three players in red and blue there to prevent anything coming of it.
06:12 PM BST
48 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
The second half has started in much the same fashion as the first played out, Barcelona have had the majority of the ball, with Chelsea struggling to get forwards.
Hampton after her earlier stoppage for treatment is being booed by the home fans every time she gets the ball.
06:08 PM BST
46 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Both sides emerged from the tunnel early and are having their team huddles, with Chelsea’s being led by Millie Bright.
It will be Chelsea who get the game underway.
Mapi Leon has gone off for Barcelona, to be replaced by Ingrid Engen.
06:06 PM BST
First half stats
Let’s take a quick look at some stats from the first half:
Possession:
Barcelona - 66.3%
Chelsea 33.7%
Chances:
Barcelona - 10 shots, 3 on target
Chelsea - 3 shots, 1 on target
Passes:
Barcelona - 339 (299 accurate)
Chelsea - 171 (138 accurate)
05:58 PM BST
It could be worse for Chelsea
05:53 PM BST
Half time: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
The whistle blows at the end of the first half and Barcelona will go into the changing rooms the happier of the sides with the crucial goal advantage.
They did miss a crucial chance earlier in the half when Hampton saved Putellas’ penalty, but Chelsea have struggled to get into the game, only really putting the pressure on in stoppage time.
05:51 PM BST
45+5 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 1
Baltimore takes the corner in front of the Chelsea fans and it’ll be retaken after the referee has words with Oona Battle, but it goes over everyone and out for a goal kick.
05:50 PM BST
45+4 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Sandy Baltimore and Aggie Beever-Jones are standing over it...the latter goes for goal and it’s saved and put out for a corner by Cata Coll.
05:49 PM BST
45+3 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
There is a foul on Erin Cuthbert just outside the area by Aitana Bonmati who was a bit late on that one.
What can Chelsea do with this rare chance to get forward?
05:47 PM BST
45 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
There will be six minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
05:44 PM BST
44 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
Ramirez is fouled but the referee doesn’t reach into her pocket this time, while the 200 travelling Chelsea fans protest.
05:42 PM BST
42 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
First yellow card of the game is shown to Mayra Ramirez and it comes out of pure frustration!
Battle is just trodden on and goes down. Whether a justified yellow card or not, it is the first one shown of the afternoon.
05:39 PM BST
39 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
05:36 PM BST
GOAL! - 35 mins: Barcelona 1 Chelsea 0
In a one-on-one with Hampton, this time Barcelona take the lead through Ewa Pajor!
The ball through was exquisite, a clever reverse pass from Caroline Graham Gansen to Pajor who takes one touch before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
05:35 PM BST
34 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Barcelona have had seven shots and three on target, while Chelsea have yet to register a shot.
The Blues have really struggled to get going in this match and have not found their footing at all, completing less than half the number of passes that Barcelona have.
05:32 PM BST
32 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
05:31 PM BST
30 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Hampton has to jump high and snatch the ball out of the air as Barcelona attack again, she has landed slightly awkwardly and receives some medical attention on the field.
Hampton is holding her shoulder and looks in some discomfort, but it allows Sonia Bompastor a chance to speak to her players and the Chelsea players to take a break.
This is turning into quite a lengthy break to the displeasure of the home support who are booing and whistling.
05:28 PM BST
28 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
As expected, Barcelona are dominating the ball here. Chelsea are containing them for the time being but they could do with putting a few more passes together. They’re quick to give it away each time they win it back.
05:27 PM BST
26 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Bonmati takes the chance on herself with space to drive towards the box, she takes the chance from outside the area and makes sure the ball bounces before Hampton, who dives down to make the save.
05:25 PM BST
25 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Rytting-Kaneryd makes a good run and is found with the ball at her feet in the box, but Barcelona make sure to get back and are in the right position to not only cut off the chance, but pass the ball out of the box and win a free kick.
05:23 PM BST
23 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Putellas and Bonmati link up and it almost turns into a chance for Paraluello, but Hampton is just able to get back in time and prevent a clear-cut chance.
05:21 PM BST
20 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
When Barcelona do get forwards, they immediately look threatening and force Chelsea onto the back foot, as another ball into the box is scrambled away by the visitors.
05:19 PM BST
18 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Barcelona have had more than 60 percent of the possession so far, and almost had another opening, only for Pajor to be ruled offside.
05:16 PM BST
15 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea have kept the scoreline level with a brilliant save from Hampton, but they are not exactly imposing themselves on this match.
Barcelona have still had all the chances and control.
05:14 PM BST
13 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
05:13 PM BST
Penalty miss! 12 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Alexia Putellas stands over the ball, and the Barcelona captain’s strike is saved by Hampton!
The Chelsea goalkeeper guessed right and dives down to her left to make the save.
05:11 PM BST
Penalty to Barca! 10 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
The referee has been called over to the monitor and the header did glance off Bjorn’s arm on the way through before it was saved by Hampton.
Her arms were out and not down by her side, the referee is taking a look at it and...PENALTY!
05:09 PM BST
VAR 9 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
The first corner cannot beat the first player in Millie Bright who boots it out for a second, but the next is swung in towards the back post and Hampton has to make a sharp save from a header from Paredes.
And there will be a VAR check for a handball.
05:08 PM BST
7 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Barcelona have settled into their trademark quick-passing tiki-taka football and Chelsea will have to learn to be content without the ball, even though it is not often something they have to contend with.
Graham Hansen has a shot that skews wide off a Chelsea player and will be a Barcelona corner.
05:05 PM BST
4 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Hannah Hampton has had to make her first save of the match as the ball deflected off the defender and goalwards, but without power.
An early warning for Chelsea.
05:04 PM BST
3 mins: Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
This is the first time in the history of the tournament that the same sides will meet in the semi-finals for the third season in a row.
There might be a few nerves around from Chelsea in the first couple of minutes, although they have had some of the ball, there have been a few misplaced passes in the mix too.
05:01 PM BST
1 minute: Chelsea 0 Barcelona 0
Barcelona kick the game underway.
04:57 PM BST
Kick off imminent
The match will start in just a matter of minutes as the players make their way out onto the field at the 6,000 capacity stadium ahead of the Champions League clash.
The match will start at 5pm BST.
04:56 PM BST
Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh welcomed on Barcelona return
Cheers for both Lucy Bronze and Keira Waslh from the home fans as their names are read out in the starting line-up. Thought they may have come in for a bit of stick, Walsh especially - give she pushed for a move in January. All friendly, for now!
04:50 PM BST
Mapi Leon to play post-ban for controversial comment
Mapi Leon was included in the starting line up after being involved in a controversial event earlier this month.
The Barcelona women’s player accused of grabbing an opponent in the crotch area and asking: “Do you have a d---?” has been banned for two matches.
Leon, a defender, was suspended “due to the incident with Daniela Caracas” by Liga F, which refused to provide further details of the case.
The Spain international was accused of “violating the privacy” of Espanyol defender Caracas on Feb 10 after appearing to touch her in the groin area. Espanyol expressed their “total discontent and condemnation” although Leon denied asking her: “Do you have a d---?”
To read the full article click here.
04:45 PM BST
Sonia Bompastor says Barcelona are “the best team in Europe”
Sonia Bompastor speaks to TNT Sports before the match: “We know we are playing the best team in Europe, as a team they have a lot of strengths but also as individuals.
“The game is a chance for us to show how good we are as a team and as individuals.”
She adds: “I think it’s important for me to get the gameplan right it’s important to give the confidence to the players. I think small details in this type of games, fine margins and I think small things can make the differences.
04:35 PM BST
Barcelona start warm up
Chelsea have been out warming up for some time but Barcelona have just appeared and they get a big cheer from their fans. The Estadi Johan Cruyff is a small stadium for a semi-final but Barcelona were unable to host this at the Olimpic Lluis due to the men’s match which took place yesterday. UEFA rules state that two days are needed, as press conferences and MD-1 training takes place at the stadium. Camp Nou is still closed due to renovations. This may be a small venue but Barcelona’s fans always bring noise and atmosphere, so it should be lively in here come kick-off.
04:32 PM BST
In the other semi final...
Mariona Caldentey’s 78th-minute penalty which brought Arsenal level should have given them the momentum to go on to win the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final with Lyon.
The 40,045-strong crowd at the Emirates were willing them on but after Caldentey had made it 1-1, cancelling out Kadidiatou Diani’s opener in the 17th minute, the champions of France swung the tie back in their favour.
Ada Hegerberg, the former Ballon d’Or winner, came off the bench a minute after Arsenal had equalised. Being able to bring on a player of Hegerberg’s quality is a luxury few teams have. Within four minutes of her introduction, she had pulled Leah Williamson out of position and laid the ball off to Amel Majri, who played a pass into the space Hegerberg had vacated. Melchie Dumornay was there to race on to the ball, out-pace Arsenal’s defenders and score emphatically.
To read the full report, click here.
04:25 PM BST
Barcelona losing golden touch
Barcelona might be seven points clear at the top of Liga F, but they have lost twice in the league, including to Real Madrid in the Women’s Clasico.
In the Champions League, they were beaten in the group stages by Manchester City, and it could be a sign that their grip on the competition is faltering, albeit slightly.
Overall this season, Barcelona have conceded more and scored less than in the previous three seasons of the Women’s Champions League, although what that means for Chelsea remains to be seen.
04:14 PM BST
Millie Bright wants to make match a “special day”
Millie Bright speaks to Uefa: “We do want to make this a special day – that’s the aim. We’ve definitely come with a game plan and a vision of what we want to achieve.
“There’re no need to shy away from what we expect from ourselves. Every single year we’ve wanted to go very far in this competition, and today’s no different. We’re very motivated.
“We know who’s in front of us and we know what we need to do in order to achieve what we expect of ourselves, in terms of performance and result.”
04:08 PM BST
Naomi Girma is on the bench
No big surprises in that Chelsea team. Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze start against their former club. Naomi Girma makes the bench for the first time since her debut against Brighton in February.
Caroline Graham Hansen, who missed training yesterday, is fit enough to start for Barcelona.
We can see Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor doing some pre-match interviews by the side of the pitch and she looks pretty relaxed. This is no doubt the biggest test she has faced since taking over from Emma Hayes.
03:57 PM BST
Barcelona team news
Barcelona XI: Cata Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Maria Leon, Brugts, Aitana, Patri, Alesia, Graham, Pajor, Paralluelo
03:55 PM BST
Chelsea team news
There are no surprises from Sonia Bompastor when it comes to her Chelsea side.
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bjorn, Bright, Baltimore, Walsh, Cuthbert, Rytting-Kaneryd, Kaptein, Beever-Jones, Ramirez
03:53 PM BST
How Chelsea can (finally) beat Barcelona
When the final whistle blew to signal Barcelona’s Women’s Champions League semi-final victory at Stamford Bridge last year, then Chelsea manager Emma Hayes mouthed the words: “I feel robbed.”
Hayes’s side had been beaten by the Catalans at the same stage in the previous campaign and still harboured memories of their 4-0 defeat against the same opponents in the 2021 final.
To read the full report of details of what Chelsea have to do to beat Barcelona, click here.
03:45 PM BST
Chelsea look to end Barcelona blues
Barcelona have been the obstacle almost every time in the last few years to stunt Chelsea’s European aspirations.
Having lifted the title three times of the last four years, it is the same Barcelona who stand in the way of Chelsea’s quest for a record-equalling quadruple, and it will be the third meeting between the teams in as many years.
Chelsea have signed two players from Barcelona, Lucy Bronze in the summer and Keira Walsh in January, to try and overturn the fate of the two legs that took place on exactly the same dates in 2024.
Sonia Bompastor has none of that baggage, having won the trophy with Lyon in 2022, she bears none of the scars of the previous clashes between Chelsea and Barcelona, could that be the difference this time around.
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