Barcelona secured their spot in the Women’s Champions League final with a contentious 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the semi-final second leg on Saturday.
Having trailed 1-0 from the first leg, Jonatan Giraldez’s team took the lead through Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan saw red in the second half for a disputed second booking, while Fridolina Rolfo sealed Barcelona’s 2-1 aggregate triumph with a controversial penalty.
In the final on May 25 in Bilbao, Barcelona will face the winner between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, with Lyon currently holding a 3-2 lead ahead of their second leg on Sunday.
This marks Barcelona’s fourth consecutive appearance in the final as they aim for their third Women’s Champions League title. Chelsea, despite their first-leg win, were unable to overcome Barcelona, extending their wait for a maiden Champions League crown.
Stamford Bridge witnessed a sold-out crowd of 39,398 for the first time in a women’s fixture in another testament to the growing popularity of the women’s game in England. However, despite the electric atmosphere, Chelsea succumbed to Bonmati’s early strike and failed to mount a comeback.
Bonmati’s goal made her the joint all-time top scorer for Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League, alongside Alexia Putellas.
Chelsea had their chances, with Sjoeke Nusken hitting the post early in the second half, but Buchanan’s dismissal and Rolfo’s penalty sealed the victory for Barcelona, leaving the Chelsea faithful disappointed once again.
