FC Barcelona pulled off a remarkable comeback to secure a spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, defeating Chelsea 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final at Stamford Bridge. This victory marked the first time since 2005 that a team has lost the home leg of a semi-final and still advanced to the final. Barcelona’s star player Aitana Bonmatí scored a crucial goal to level the aggregate score, ultimately becoming the club’s joint all-time leading goalscorer in the competition.
The reigning champions are now set to face Lyon in the final, pending the outcome of Lyon’s second leg semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. Lyon holds a slender 3-2 advantage, with the potential to meet Barcelona in the final for the fourth time. Barcelona has been unable to defeat Lyon in previous encounters, losing in the 2018 quarter-finals and the 2019 and 2022 finals. However, Barcelona’s victory over Chelsea showcased their resilience and determination to compete at the highest level of European women’s football.
Barcelona’s success was further highlighted by two key refereeing decisions that turned the tide of the match in their favor. Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan was shown a second yellow card and subsequently sent off, reducing the home side to ten players. Additionally, Barcelona was awarded a penalty kick, which Fridolina Rolfö converted to give them the aggregate lead. These decisions proved to be crucial in Barcelona’s historic comeback and solidified their place in the final.
For Chelsea, the defeat means that head coach Emma Hayes will not be able to secure the only major trophy that has eluded her during her tenure at the club. Hayes, who is set to depart at the end of the season, was previously eyeing a quadruple but is now focused on defending their English championship. Despite record attendances and significant investment in women’s football in England, the Women’s Super League has yet to produce a Champions League winner since its inception in 2011, with Arsenal being the only English club to win the competition in 2007.
Barcelona’s coach Jonatan Giráldez will also be departing the club at the end of the season to take charge of the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Super League. Giráldez has led Barcelona to the Champions League final in each of his three seasons at the club, further solidifying his reputation as a top coach in women’s football. The sold-out match at Stamford Bridge drew a record attendance of 39,398, surpassing previous records in women’s football in England. Despite the growth and success of women’s football in the country, English clubs have yet to achieve success in the Champions League, with Barcelona and Lyon continuing to dominate the competition.
