Barcelona vs Chelsea LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and reaction after the Blues’ historic win
Barcelona 0-1 Chelsea: Erin Cuthbert’s goal secured a famous win as the Champions League holders lost at home for the first time in five years
Chelsea stunned Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona by becoming the first team to beat them away from home in more than five years as Emma Hayes’s side claimed a 1-0 win to take back to Stamford Bridge for next week’s semi-final second leg.
Erin Cuthbert scored the only goal of the game as an immense defensive performance ensured Barcelona failed to score in a game for the first time in two years. Alexia Putellas missed a golden chance in the final seconds as Chelsea held on, but Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton did not have a shot to save.
Chelsea’s first ever win over Barcelona, who have won the Champions League in two out of the last three seasons, means the English champions will go through to the Bilbao final if they avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.
Watch the Women’s Champions League Semi-Finals for free on DAZN and get the latest match odds and tips here. Follow all the action below
Chelsea’s Lauren James a doubt for Barcelona clash as Emma Hayes refuses to comment on injury
Chelsea forward Lauren James is a doubt for Saturday’s Women’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona after Emma Hayes confirmed she missed Wednesday’s win over Aston Villa due to injury.
Hayes said James had not trained this week but refused to reveal any further details after the 22-year-old was absent from the Chelsea squad after playing the whole of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United.
Chelsea travel to Barcelona on Friday ahead of the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against the holders, with the return leg taking place at Stamford Bridge the following week.
England international James is Chelsea’s top scorer in all competitions this season and is central to their hopes of winning a first Champions League title, with striker Sam Kerr ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
Lauren James a doubt for Barcelona clash as Emma Hayes refuses to comment on injury
The forward played in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat at Manchester United but was missing as Chelsea returned to the top of the WSL table on goal difference
Barcelona vs Chelsea team news
What is the team news?
Chelsea forward Lauren James is a doubt and did not train on Friday after missing the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in midweek. Chelsea were already without Sam Kerr and Millie Bright, who remains out with a knee injury. After being rested in midweek, the likes of Guro Reiten, Erin Cuthbert and Melanie Leupolz should return.
Barcelona have a host of world-class stars and, apart from Spain centre-back Mapi Leon. Jonatan Giráldez has a fully-fit squad to work with. Alexia Putellas is getting back to full fitness but Patricia Guijarro may retain her place in midfield, while Salma Paralluelo may start ahead of Esmee Brugts. England duo Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh should start.
How to watch the Women’s Champions League
Catch the thrilling clash UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final as Emma Hayes’s Chelsea face Spanish superstars Barcelona. Watch all the action unfold live and for free on DAZN. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
When is Barcelona vs Chelsea?
The Women’s Champions League semi-final will kick off at 12:30pm BST (UK time) on Saturday 20 April, at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Good morning
Chelsea travel to Barcelona to face the Women’s Champions League holders in a rematch of last season’s semi-finals.
The Champions League is the only trophy that has eluded Chelsea under Emma Hayes during the dominant era of domestic success, and this is the club’s final chance with Hayes leaving at the end of the season.
Barcelona defeated Chelsea in last year’s semi-finals, edging the tie 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge and a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou. The Spanish side went on to beat Wolfsburg in the final and are targeting a third Champions League title in four seasons.
Barcelona won the first of those against Chelsea in the 2021 final - winning 4-0 to deny Chelsea and Hayes their first Champions League trophy.
Can the Blues earn revenge and give Hayes the perfect send-off? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of kick-off
Is Barcelona vs Chelsea on TV? How to watch Women’s Champions League
Barcelona and Chelsea meet for the third time in four years as Emma Hayes looks to win the Champions League in her final season at Stamford Bridge
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