Women's Football News

FC Barcelona booked their spot in the Women’s Champions League Final. They went into the return fixture with a three-goal lead and extended that to a 8-2 win on aggregate. It was a phenomenal display from the Spanish side – outclassing Chelsea in every aspect. Read our match report here.

Match Highlighs

• Aitana Bonmatí opened the scoring for FC Barcelona.
• Ewa Pajor doubled the lead.
• Pina made it three.
• Hannah Hampton prevented total humiliation for Chelsea.
• Paraluello netted the fourth.
• Wieke Kaptein scored for Chelsea.
• Attendance: 26,702

Chelsea press high and look confident

Chelsea faced a monumental task against FC Barcelona in the return fixture at Stamford Bridge. The stadium was packed with fans, who roared in support every time their team needed it. The Blues had to score at least three goals and keep their sheet clean for any chance at the Women’s Champions League Final.

The home team pressed high right from the start and looked confident in the first 15 minutes. The first danger FC Barcelona was able to create was from a corner Lucy Bronze conceded with a sloppy back pass. Fortunately for Chelsea, Pajor volleyed it over the goal.

Calm before the storm

Chelsea first big chance came when Ramírez was released down the right. Her ball into the box reached Baltimore, but she could not bend her effort toward goal. Minutes later, Sjoeke Nüsken’s shot was saved by Cata Coll.

Barcelona only needed one break to open the scoring. Aitana Bonmatí carried the ball from her own half to Chelsea’s box and beat Hannah Hampton at the near post.

Extending the lead

Conceding unsettled Chelsea, but they knew they had to respond quickly and start scoring goals. However, in the first 30 minutes the home team could not quite connect in the final third.

FC Barcelona took their foot off the gas and are managed the game instead of trying to extend their lead even more. This could have benefitted Chelsea – if they had been able to regain the control they were losing more and more as half time approached.

Ewa Pajor doubled the FC Barcelona’s lead in the 41st minute. Graham Hansen delivered the cross, Pajor got in front of Millie Bright and tapped it in the back of the net. Chelsea concede a third two minutes later, as Pina’s shot from outside the box sailed in off the post.

Second Half: 45 minutes away from the Final

Both sides made some changes during the break. Naomi Girma and Mayra Ramírez made way for Ashley Lawrence and Aggie Beever-Jones, while Pere Romeu replaced Mapi León by Ingrid Engen.

It was a true nightmare for Chelsea – trailing 7-1 on aggregate and there was nothing they could do about it. FC Barcelona outclassed them in every aspect. Still, the Blues started the second half bright again, pressing high and earning a few moment in the box, but failed to capatalize on them.

• Esmee Brugts, Paralluelo and Fernández came on around the 60 minute mark and replaced Pina, Graham Hansen and Paredes.
• Sandy Baltimore and Erin Cuthbert made way for Wieke Kaptein and Macario.

Can Chelsea find the back of the net>

The substitutes injected new energy to the Chelsea squad, leading to two big back-to-back chances. While the final was out of reach, they were pushing to at least score a goal against FC Barcelona.

• Vicky Lopez on for Ewa Pajor.
• Maika Hamano replaced Rytting Kaneryd.

Chelsea nearly conceded a fourth goal in the 79th minute but Hannah Hampton made another incredible save and Charles cleared the second effort off the line.

Ten more minutes to go

Chelsea came really close to scoring from a corner late in the second half. Lucy Bronze’s header was saved by Cata Coll, who was determined to keep a clean sheet.

However, FC Barcelona eventually found their fourth goal. Esmee Brugts sent Paraluello away, Charles was there to intercept but allowed Paralluelo to slip in between and slot it home.

In the final minutes, there was a rare moment of joy for Chelsea, as Wieke Kaptein scored the 1-4. It was the first time that Chelsea scored at Stamford Bridge against FC Barcelona.