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Chelsea vs Barcelona LIVE: Women’s Champions League semi-final result and reaction after Bonmati and Rolfo goals
Emma Hayes’s side fell short against the champions in front of the biggest-ever crowd for a women’s game at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s hopes of winning a first Women’s Champions League title were ended as Barcelona overturned a first-leg deficit to win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and progress to the final.
Fridolina Rolfo fired home from the penalty spot with 15 minutes to play to complete the defending champions’ fightback and seal a 2-1 aggregate victory, after Emma Hayes’ side had been made to endure the final half-hour with 10 players following the sending-off of Kadeisha Buchanan.
Barca had already levelled the tie via a deflected finish from Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati by the time the Chelsea defender saw red. Reaching for a loose ball inside the centre circle, she landed a foot on the ankle of Patri Guijarro and referee Iuliana Demetrescu did not hesitate in showing a second yellow card.
In Hayes’ final season in charge at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea battled gamely to give their outgoing manager the chance to depart on a high in next month’s final in Bilbao.
But despite Barca being camped in their own half, time ran out on the home side who bowed out in the last four for the second season running.
Relive all the action and follow the reaction from Chelsea vs Barcelona below, while you can watch the Women’s Champions League Semi-Finals for free on DAZN
Barcelona wreck Chelsea’s Champions League dream to leave Emma Hayes with one regret
Emma Hayes stared into the distance and puffed out her cheeks as the full-time whistle went and the dream came crashing down. There will be no Women’s Champions League title in Hayes’s final season, no Bilbao final to provide the ultimate send-off after 12 years in charge. For the third time in four years, it is Barcelona who are responsible, but perhaps it is this defeat that will hurt the most. Chelsea were thrashed in the 2021 final, they weren’t competitive in last season’s semi-final. But here, as Barcelona continue their Champions League defence and now go for back-to-back European crowns, Chelsea will know they have never been so close to their first.
In front of a record 40,000 at Stamford Bridge, the big moments went against Chelsea and turned a historic occasion Barcelona’s way. Chelsea will regret missed chances when the tie was in the balance and will be left to fume over the decisions that went against them. The sending-off of Kadeisha Buchanan for the softest of second yellow cards reduced Chelsea to 10 players and left Hayes’s side with over half an hour to hang on. Fridolina Rolfo’s penalty 20 minutes from time gave Barcelona the lead for the first time and left Chelsea with it all to do. The presence of VAR did not save Chelsea, or intervene when Aitana Bonmati went down under the slightest push in the box from Jess Carter.
Barcelona wreck Chelsea’s Champions League dream to leave Emma Hayes with one regret
Chelsea 0-2 Barcelona (Barcelona win 2-1 on agg.): The champions advance to the final in Bilbao, where they will face either PSG or Lyon, after goals from Aitana Bonmati and Fridolina Rolfö, though Hayes will bemoan some controversial decisions from the referee
Emma Hayes slams ‘worst decision in Champions League history’ as Chelsea ‘robbed’ place in final
Emma Hayes said her Chelsea team were on the wrong end of the “worst decision in Women’s Champions League history” as Barcelona advanced to the final following a controversial tie at Stamford Bridge.
Hayes believed Chelsea were “robbed” after the referee Iuliana Demetrescu sent off defender Kadeisha Buchanan for a second yellow card early in the second half, with the semi-final tie in the balance on aggregate following Chelsea’s narrow victory in Spain last week.
Barcelona were then awarded a late penalty when Aitana Bonmati was brought down by a combination of Jess Carter and Ashley Lawrence - a decision Hayes said was “equally soft” - and Fridolina Rolfo converted to send Barcelona through to the Bilbao final and a shot at a third title in four years.
Emma Hayes slams ‘worst decision in Champions League history’ as Chelsea ‘robbed’
Kadeisha Buchanan was controversially sent off for a second yellow card as Barcelona were then awarded a ‘soft’ penalty at Stamford Bridge
Women’s Champions League: Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona
Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona: What next for Chelsea ahead of Emma Hayes’ exit?
Emma Hayes will not have the fairytale ending then, she blows kisses to the fans at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea fans, who sold out the Bridge tonight, chant “Emma, Emma” before she disappears down the tunnel.
This will be a bitter pill to swallow for Hayes, who has endured a tough few weeks. But, there’s still work to be done in the WSL.
Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona: Jonatan Giraldez reacts to victory
“You can only focus on the game,” Jonatan Giraldez tells DAZN.
“The special moments we have, but when you train every day, it’s easier to get that performance.
“You manage your emotions. After losing, it’s a specific moment to make a change to your mind and the direction.
“It’s not only about winning, the mentality of the players, it’s special.”
Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona
Lianne Sanderson insists Chelsea were unlucky with several decisions, telling DAZN: "It's not a yellow card in any walk of life, ultimately Chelsea were on the back foot, but going down to 10 players.
“I thought the referee was really poor. She was getting in the way at times.
“Those decisions can really change games. It’s nowhere near a second yellow card.
“Make a better decision, but also have some common sense. The first one was a yellow, but the second one, not in any walk of life.
“The more you watch it, the more infuriating it is.”
Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona - Aitana Bonmati reacts to victory at Stamford Bridge
Bonmati: "We want to keep winning every year, it's not easy but I'm proud of my team.
“It was a bit lucky [my goal], but sometimes you just have to shoot.
“My mind is always to give everything I have to the team, give my best version every year.
“We are a great team.”
Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona
90+6 mins: Putellas trying to get the better of Carter, but Chelsea get the ball back again, one final chance.
Emma Hayes with her head in her hands, Chelsea are going to fall desperately short.
Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona
90+4 mins: Barcelona should be home and dry, but Hampton with a brilliant save to deny Paralluelo.
Barcelona cut through the Blues beautifully, but Hampton spread herself well and the big left boot cleared the danger.
Chelsea 0-2 (1-2 agg.) Barcelona
90+3 mins: Chelsea want a penalty! The ball sails to the back post and bounces viciously up towards the arm of Guijarro, but it hits her back as she turns away.
Check complete.
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