Chelsea 0-2 Barcelona(agg 1-2): Blaugrana comeback & step into UWCL final

Kadeisha Buchanan shown controversial red card as Emma Hayes’ side exit Women’s Champions League.

2023/2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League

0–2

Aitana Bonmati (25′)
F. Rolfö (75′ PEN)

Match Report

Kadeisha Buchanan was shown a controversial red card as Chelsea Women’s Champions League dreams were ended after holders Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory (2-1 on aggregate) in front of a sold-out Stamford Bridge.

With Chelsea leading 1-0 after inflicting Barcelona’s first home defeat in five years in the first leg, Aitana Bonmati’s deflected strike in the 25th minute brought the visitors level in the tie.

Chelsea did have chances to regain the advantage as Melanie Leupolz struck the crossbar from close range and Lauren James failed to convert Sjoeke Nusken’s cutback.

The Blues’ wastefulness continued into the second half as Nusken’s effort hit the foot of the post before the game changed with Kadeisha Buchanan’s red card. The defender was shown two yellow cards in five minutes early in the second half, the second a controversial one with the defender appearing to win the ball in a challenge with Patri Guijarro.

With the player advantage, Barcelona took control and Bonmati won a penalty after a foul from Lawrence, which Fridolina Rolfo converted to send Jonatan Giraldez’s side into the final where they will face either PSG or Lyon in Bilbao on May 25.

For Emma Hayes, defeat in her final home game at Stamford Bridge also saw another chance of a trophy slip away before she leaves at the end of the season to take over the USA national team. However, attention will now turn back to the Women’s Super League where Chelsea are locked in a battle with Man City for the title, with the Blues aiming to send Hayes off with silverware.

Line-ups

Chelsea XI: A. Lawrence, M. Leupolz, K. Buchanan, E. Cuthbert, J. Carter, J. Rytting-Kaneryd, S. Nüsken, C. Macário, H. Hampton, Niamh Charles, Lauren James

Subs: M. Mjelde, S. Ingle, G. Reiten, M. Bright, E. Périsset, F. Kirby, Z. Musovic, N. Björn, J. Čanković, Aggie Beever-Jones

Barcelona XI: L. Bronze, C. Hansen, F. Rolfö, Irene Paredes, Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati, K. Walsh, I. Engen, Cata Coll, Ona Batlle Pascual, Salma Paralluelo

Subs: Marta Torrejón, Sandra Paños, Alexia Putellas, Mariona Caldentey, Claudia Pina, Gemma Font, Jana Fernandez, Bruna Vilamala, Esmee Brugts, Martina Fernández, Victoria Lopez-Felix