Chelsea Women vs Barcelona Women; Women's Champions League Semi Final
Chelsea Women vs Barcelona Women. Women's Champions League Semi Final.
Stamford BridgeAttendance23,573.
Chelsea Women 1
- W Kaptein (91st minute)
Barcelona Women 4
- A Bonmati (25th minute)
- E Pajor (41st minute)
- C Pina (43rd minute)
- S Paralluelo (90th minute)
2-8
Chelsea Women 1-4 Barcelona Women (2-8 agg): Sonia Bompastor's side thrashed in Women's Champions League semi-final
Match report as Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League semi-finals as Barcelona won 8 -2 on aggregate; already trailing 4-1 from the first leg, the Blues were given a football lesson as Barcelona scored three first-half goals, then added another before Chelsea got one back
Sunday 27 April 2025 19:07, UK
Chelsea's Women's Champions League bid was shattered by a brilliant Barcelona, who won 4-1 in the second leg to advance to the Champions League final via an 8-2 aggregate win.
Trailing 4-1 from the game in Spain, Sonia Bompastor's Blues needed a miracle of epic proportions to reach the Lisbon final - but found themselves a further 3-0 down at half-time against unarguably the best team in the world.
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Chelsea did start strongly and could have reduced the deficit but Sandy Baltimore and Sjoeke Nusken missed two big chances in quick succession - but Barcelona stunned Stamford Bridge with three brilliant goals.
First, Aitana Bonmati scored a stunning solo goal, bursting past Niamh Charles down the Barcelona right and finishing high past Hannah Hampton. The second goal came down the same wing, as great work from Caroline Graham Hansen saw her cross for Ewa Pajor, who couldn't miss from a few yards out.
Just as Chelsea were catching their breath, Barcelona struck once again with the best goal of the lot. Claudia Pina, who scored twice in the first leg, got another in superb fashion by finding the top corner from the edge of the box.
Hampton was stranded, Chelsea bewildered. The Women's Super League's shining light was given a footballing lesson by Barcelona - and it continued after half-time. It should have been an even bigger triumph.
Fridolina Rolfo blazed a good chance over, while Hampton made stunning saves to deny Pajor and Salma Parulello on two occasions, while Lucy Bronze denied another Barcelona chance with a last-ditch clearance off the line.
Chelsea had chances to make the scoreline somewhat respectable but Barcelona's defence would not let up even at 7-1 up. Catarina Macario flashed a good chance wide inside the box, while Catalan goalkeeper Cata Coll denied Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Lucy Bronze with superb close-range saves.
Instead, Parulello would get her reward as an awful mix-up between Hampton and Niamh Charles allowed her to poke home. Wieke Kaptein pulled one back but it would then be followed by as boos from the home crowd at full-time.
It was the joint-second worst defeat of Bompastor's career - only in the 5-1 home loss to Arsenal as Lyon manager in October 2022 has been worse. For the Chelsea boss, she is still odds-on to claim a domestic double this term - but the gap to Europe's best is vast.
Chelsea's sorrow in photos
Bompastor: We're not ready for the Champions League
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor:
"The difference between these two teams is not much. The one thing is being clinical, my team were not able to be clinical.
"The fans were waiting for us to score the first goal but we couldn't. Barcelona were really clinical and then it is more difficult.
"When you want to perform against the best team in Europe, you need to be at your best. Tactically and physically. We were not at our best.
"The only positive thing is that in my head, it is really clear what we need to do to compete for the Champions League. It is good to have this experience. These two games showed us we were not ready."
Analysis: Chelsea need more than just Kerr, James back
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz at Stamford Bridge:
Sonia Bompastor was brought into Chelsea for one reason - not to win another WSL, nor win the domestic cups. She was hired to win the Champions League.
She knows how to beat Barcelona, she knows Lyon's faults better than anyone. Chelsea also have the squad and the depth to put out two teams and win multiple titles, so there is not a reason why they cannot compete regularly.
Losing 8-2 on aggregate to any team is not competing, even if it comes in a Champions League semi-final. And that is why Bompastor admits that she has fallen short of her objectives.
Chelsea tried to go toe to toe with Barcelona but missed the mark. Mayra Ramirez, taking on the role of the key attacking talent after the injuries to Sam Kerr and Lauren James, won just two out of 13 ground duels over the two legs.
Sandy Baltimore, who scored in the first leg, turned out at left wing despite her best displays coming at left-back. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was marked out the game, when she dominates most domestic ones.
It goes to show that not only do Chelsea need James and Kerr back, they need more investment if they are to keep up with Barcelona.
Cuthbert: We need to remember what this feels like
Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert:
"The emotions are raw now. We were beat fair and square.
"It started to become more difficult. They are so clinical, they have three chances and scored three goals.
"We have to take our chances. It was about playing with pride, the tie was last at that point [half time]. Representing Chelsea comes with an expectation for the badge.
"For us, we need to play for the games coming up. Use this hurt and remember what it feels like. Use it as fuel."
