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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
Chelsea 0-1 (1-1 agg.) Barcelona
30 mins: Chelsea on the rocks here, Barcelona pushing for the second and Hampton has to come and claim a high ball and gets a fist to it.
Leupolz is saved by the offside flag, because James is adjudged to be narrowly offside in the build-up.
Her clever cutback reaches the back post and with Barcelona scrambling back across the goal, Leupolz at the back post can convert into the empty net, but she clatters the bar!
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 (1-1 agg.) Barcelona (Bonmati 25’)
25 mins: GOAL! Bonmati has the goal, of course she does, buzzing throughout this contest already.
A quick turn and strike at goal, across her body and low towards the bottom left corner, beats Hampton with the help of a cruel deflection off Buchanan.
The travelling Barcelona supporters go wild, what a tie we have now!
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Women’s Champions League latest score and updates
23 mins: The ball reaches Hansen on the left edge of the penalty area, she swing a boot at it and the volley, while not clean, gives Hampton something to worry about.
The Blues shot-stopper scrambles over and smothers the ball, but it bounces back inside the posts briefly before she fully gathers.
Rytting Kaneryd sticking to her task well on the right, cutting out Patri Guijarro’s pass.
And now Hansen is dribbling at pace towards the Chelsea box, danger for the hosts.
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Women’s Champions League latest score and updates
19 mins: Macario now looking to slow the game down and in turn James is able to get into the game.
A few more touches for Chelsea’s star forward.
Lawrence swings in a cross and Keneryd leaps high but can’t connect, much better though, and the score is level, which feels like a win for the hosts with the aggregate score in their favour.
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Women’s Champions League latest score and updates
14 mins: Lauren James dropping deep to get involved. It’s strong hold-up play and James protects the ball so well, but she’s unable to turn and drive at Barcelona.
The ball is played back and Chelsea are forced to build again from deep. Paralluelo fed by Bronze from deep with a pinpoint pass zipped across the Stamford Bridge surface, but Chelsea are strong in the challenge and she’s outmuscled.
Barely any time to settle for either team so far.
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Women’s Champions League latest score and updates
10 mins: Bonmati starting to pull the strings and Barcelona get it out wide, Bronze puts in a stunning ball.
And Guijarro must do better, she’s free and cannot quite control the volley inside the box, a big reprieve for Chelsea early on.
Bonmati slicing through the Chelsea midfield and her quick feet leaves Cuthbert and Leupolz in a spin. But Rolfo’s cross is too heavy and drifts wide. Chelsea need to settle all of a sudden.
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Women’s Champions League latest score and updates
7 mins: Leupolz is everywhere! Bronze looks to drive out from the back for Barcelona.
But the Chelsea midfielder is there in a flash and a crunching challenge breaks up the visitors’ move.
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Women’s Champions League latest score and updates
3 mins: It’s a fine start for Chelsea, who plot their way through Barcelona’s midfield.
Macario lively and just gets the weight of her pass wrong as she attempts to find the killer ball with the outside of her boot.
It’s a busy centre of the pitch and both sides looking to seize control, Cuthbert and Leupolz getting the ball down nicely and attempting to build some rhythm.
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Emma Hayes on Mayra Ramirez injury
"You can't build things up too much, they take too much energy away. We have to work hard to keep our emotions in check. We know what we're facing. We have to conserve our energy,” Hayes tells DAZN.
“It’s great (the sellout), these are the standards and should be expected.
“I’m delighted everybody has come out for the team, the girls deserve it.
“Mayra got an injury, we had to change direction, that’s why you have a squad and Cat’s ready to go!”
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Latest build-up
Chelsea defender Niamh Charles on the challenge of facing Barcelona and their star-studded team of world class attacking talent.
“It’s not individual players, they’re one of the best teams in the world. It’s not focusing on one player.
“It’s all in the mind, its about being switched on every single second. You switch off for one moment and you get punished.”
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