Chelsea vs Barcelona LIVE: Result and reaction from Women’s Champions League semi-final

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona: Caroline Graham Hansen gives Barca the advantage ahead of the semi-final second leg

(Action Images via Reuters)

Chelsea will need to overturn a one goal deficit when they travel to Spain next week for the second leg of the their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

In scenes reminiscent of the 2021 WCL final, Barca struck early in the game when Caroline Graham Hansen darted inside from the right wing and smoked a beautiful shot past the outstretched hand of Ann-Katrin Berger to open the scoring after just four minutes.

On the previous occasion Chelsea wilted to concede four goals before half-time but here they responded well. Stepping further up the pitch to control play in midfield the Blues seemed more composed. Guro Reiten even ahd a goal disallowed after a slight offside from Sam Kerr in the build-up.

However, as the second half progressed injuries and a lack of squad depth began to tell for Emma Hayes’ side. They managed to keep out a late Barcelona onslaught but the equaliser they desperately wanted remained out of reach.

Relive the action as Chelsea faced Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals:

Chelsea vs Barcelona

• Chelsea lose the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge as Barcelona take control of Women’s Champions League semi-final
• 66’ CHANCE! - Cuthbert’s header is caught by Panos (CHE 0-1 BAR)
• 54’ SHOT! - James gets a first sight of goal but doesn’t beat Panos (CHE 0-1 BAR)
• 25’ DISALLOWED - Reiten’s equaliser ruled out for offside (CHE 0-1 BAR)
• 16’ SHOT! - Geyse draws a low save out of Berger (CHE
• 4’ GOAL! - Graham Hansen sends Barca ahead (CHE 0-1 BAR)

[22 April 2023 14:22 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

87 mins: A Barcelona corner from Mapi Leon is easily cleared but the visitors recycle the ball. A cross comes into the penalty area but it’s plucked out of the air by Ann-Katrin Berger.

[22 April 2023 14:19 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

84 mins: Chelsea replace Melanie Leupolz, Guro Reiten and Eve Perriset with Jessie Fleming, Pernille Harder and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

Barcelona take off goalscorer Caroline Graham Hansen as well as Keira Walsh and Salma Paralluelo. Asisat Oshoala, Ingrid Engen and Ana Maria Crnogorcevic replace them.

[22 April 2023 14:16 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

81 mins: Barcelona are penning Chelsea back in the hopes of extending their lead. A cross comes into the box and Marta Torrejon strikes the woodwork with her header.

She’s jus inches away from adding a second.

[22 April 2023 14:11 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

78 mins: Parralluelo is still keen add to Barcelona’s lead. She bombs up the pitch on the counter-attack and nudges the ball into the left side of the box. Under pressure from Maren Mjelde, Parralluelo shoots but Berger has the shot covered and keeps it out.

[22 April 2023 14:07 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

75 mins: Marta Torrejon has replaced Lucy Bronze for Barcelona. Bronze has an ice pack wrapped over her right knee as she watches on from the stands.

That doesn’t look too good for the Lioness ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Sarina Wiegman has already lost captain Leah Williamson to an ACL injury so to lose Bronze to injury too would be a massive blow.

[22 April 2023 14:05 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

72 mins: Chelsea seem revitalised. After 10 minutes or so of playing on the back foot, they’re pushing up the pitch again searching for the equaliser.

Should this game end with Barcelona taking a lead back to the Camp Nou then things will be even more difficult for the Blues in the second leg.

[22 April 2023 14:00 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

69 mins: Another change for Chelsea. Emma Hayes sees that her team need to get more control in the middle of the park and takes off Erin Cuthbert to bring on Sophie Ingle

It’s a more defensive option but should gain the Blues more possession.

[22 April 2023 13:57 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

66 mins: A Chelsea free kick is floated deep into the box by Eve Perisset. The ball is recycled back across the penalty area where Magdalena Eriksson nods the ball across to Eri Cuthbert.

Cuthbert is free and takes a headed effort of her own. She hits it well enough but Sandro Panos grabs hold of the ball.

[22 April 2023 13:54 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

63 mins: That effort was Geyse’s last involvement of the game as she is replaced with Mariona Caldentey. Caldentey is a more physical centre-forward and could cause a few problems for the more tired Chelsea defenders.

[22 April 2023 13:51 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona

60 mins: Chance! Terrific play from Barcelona.

Rolfo brings the ball down the left side before playing it up to Geyse. She combines with Parralluelo for a one-two and gets in behind the Blues’ defence.

When the ball comes bacl Geyse shoots but can’t beat Berger at the near post.