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
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 0-1 Barcelona
57 mins: Oh lovely defending. A threaded pass allows Geyse to carry the ball into the right side of Chelsea’s box.
The Barcelona forward is hoping to line up a shot but Magdalena Eriksson gets across, shoulders Geyse away from the ball and shields it out of play for a goal kick.
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona
54 mins: Shot! Keira Walsh loses possession to Lauren James after a Chelsea throw in. James cuts onto her right foot and shoots but her low, curling effort is kept out by Sandra Panos.
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona
51 mins: Barcelona win a corner that Mapi Leon pulls back to Keira Walsh. Walsh floats her cross into the penalty area but Ann-Katrin Berger flaps at the ball and pushes it behind.
Another short corner kick comes to Parralluelo. She returns the ball to Graham Hansen who sends a cross straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona
48 mins: Lauren James has taken up the central forward position with Sam Kerr out on the left side of the forward line and Guro Reiten over on the right.
Geyse dinks the ball past Magdalena Eriksson and dribbles into the box. She lays it off to Graham Hansen who switches the play. Rolfo brings the ball down but loses possession to right-back Eve Perisset.
Second half: Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona
Barcelona get the ball rolling for the second half. Jelena Cankovic has been replaced with Lauren James at the break for Chelsea.
Half-time: Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona
45+4 mins: The whistle goes to bring the first 45 minutes of this Women’s Champions League semi-final to a close. Caroline Graham Hansen’s electric strike has given the visitors the lead but Chelsea responded well.
They had a goal disallowed and showed more than enough attacking qualities to keep Barcelona on their toes. Can the Blues equalise after the break?
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona
45+2 mins: Close! Graham Hansen creates another great chance for Barcelona.
She uses her strength to hold off Charles then weaves into the box. Her ball into the six-yard area comes bouncing through to the back post where Parralluelo just can’t prod it home.
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