Chelsea will look to pull their Women’s Champions League campaign back from the brink this afternoon, hosting Barcelona in the semi-final second leg. They fell to a bruising 4-1 defeat in the away leg. Sandy Baltimore’s goal softened the blow somewhat, but the Blues still have a mountain to climb.
Barcelona have knocked Chelsea out in the semi-finals of the competittion in each of the last two campaigns, also beating them in the 2021 final, and have not lost by a four-goal margin since 2012.
A win for the Blues would go down in history, but their work is cut out for them - can they pull off the impossible? Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Barcelona latest news
- CHANCE! Putellas and Bonmati notch early attacks
- GOAL! Bonmati condemns Chelsea
- GOAL! Another for the visitors
- GOAL! Barcelona make the run a rout
- Chelsea confirmed team news | Girma returns
FULL TIME: Chelsea 1-4 Barcelona (2-8agg)
15:53 , Arthur FerridgeThe loudest boo I have ever heard at a Chelsea women’s match rings out around Stamford Bridge at full-time, and rightly so. That is a humiliating one for the Blues.
Another Champions League campaign comes to a bitter, bitter end.
Barcelona will move on to the final, facing either Arsenal or Lyon.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-4 Barcelona (2-8agg)
15:50 , Arthur Ferridge91mins: And Chelsea have their consolation goal through Kaptein, but it is far too little, much too late.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-4 Barcelona (1-8agg)
15:49 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Uno mas. This time it is Paralluelo.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:41 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: Hamano is at full stretch to get a shot away, but it loops over the bar.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:40 , Arthur Ferridge81mins: Plenty of Chelsea fans making their way to the exits now.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:3980mins: Niamh Charles arrives late with a stunning tackle to deny Paralluelo her goal. Time is running out for the Blues to pick up a consolation.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:18 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: No rest for the wicked as Paralluelo is introduced for Barcelona alongside Brugts and Jana Fernandez.
Macario and Kaptein enter the fray for Chelsea. There is raucous applause for the replaced Sandy Baltimore and Erin Cuthbert as they jog off.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:13 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: Baltimore cuts in off the left and shoots, but her effort meets the side netting.
Chelsea would love to pull one back, if only to give the fans something to get on their feet for. They have turned out in droves for this tie.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:12 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Beever-Jones goes down in the box, and the fans in the Shed seem to think a penalty is given, but the referee is actually pointing for a goal-kick. Tough break.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:09 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Rolfo goes close with a first-time shot. This could get even uglier for Chelsea.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:0849mins: Cuthbert goes down hard after knocking heads with Putellas.
She labours to get back on her feet, but is ok to continue. Of course she is - this is Erin Cuthbert we’re talking about. She’s made of tougher stuff than most.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
15:05 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: A few halftime changes here.
Aggie Beever-Jones and Ashley Lawrence replace Mayra Ramirez and Naomi Girma for Chelsea.
Ingrid Engen comes on in place of Maria Leon for the visitors.
SECOND HALF: Back underway
15:03 , Arthur FerridgeWe are back underway at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea came out early and had a long conversation in the huddle before kickoff.
Can they get their own back in the second period? Or will it be more of the same procession?
HALF TIME: Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
14:48 , Arthur FerridgeA brutal first half for Chelsea. They enjoyed one strong spell in the early stages before the Barcelona machine tore them limb from limb with no regard for human life.
One would say there is work to do, but there is no coming back from this deficit.
Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
14:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Just one added minute. Chelsea need the break as soon as possible.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-3 Barcelona (1-7 agg)
14:44 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: One more!
It is a champions’ performance, you have to say. Pina curls one in off the post from outside the box and Hampton remains rooted.
This tie is well out of reach now.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Barcelona (1-6 agg)
14:43 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Barcelona are off to Lisbon. The fabled comeback these players would have dreamed about all week long will not materialise.
It is too easy for Barcelona, as Graham pulls it back to Putellas to tap in.
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona (1-5 agg)
14:39 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: In fairness, this is a Chelsea team unused to losing. They have managed some good comebacks this year, but this is far too big an ask.
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona (1-5 agg)
14:37 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: The air has come out of it now. Most of the players in blue shirts look a bit deflated, and Barcelona are more in control than ever.
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona (1-5 agg)
14:33 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: The great tragedy of this match is that Chelsea are playing some really nice football - there have been some lovely linkups between Girma, Baltimore, Ramirez, and Charles on the left flank - but it will all more than likely be for nought.
Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona (1-5 agg)
14:31 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: You have to say that goal was rather against the run of play, but what does that matter?
The scoreline reads 0-1 (1-5), and the task is that much greater for Chelsea, who may do well to give the fans a couple of consolation goals to celebrate now the result is all but unrecoverable.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona (1-5 agg)
14:2826mins: That’s all, folks. Bonmati does what Bonmati does, and Barcelona lead by one on the day.
She picks up possession deep in her own half and flashes into the Chelsea half, dodging Charles’ tackle before pounding a shot in at Hampton’s near post.
Not much the keeper could have done about that, really, and Chelsea’s summit is now that much further out of reach.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:24 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: Ramirez’s cross to Baltimore is perfect, but the French winger just doesn’t connect with it! She will know she has to do better in those situations.
Moments later, Nusken goes through on goal and sees her shot well saved.
And now the fans are up for it. Advantage Chelsea?
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:22 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: It just isn’t quite clicking for Chelsea so far.
They are making some good movements, but they just aren’t coming off as yet.
As previously mentioned, they need a goal sooner rather than later if they are to turn this around.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:21 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Sonia Bompastor is characteristically stoic in the technical area, but showing more and more emotion (see also: frustration) as Chelsea continue to struggle for control.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:19 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: Bright is first to the corner, but her clearance falls to Bonmati, who volleys over.
She was totally unmarked - Barcelona’s third in the first leg came from a corner, too.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:18 , Arthur Ferridge17mins: A blunder from Chelsea as Bronze badly mishits as backpass to Hampton. It goes out for a corner.
No room for errors like that in a game like this, and nobody will know that better than Bronze.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:16 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Patri goes down under a tackle from Cuthbert, but seems fit to continue.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:15 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: Charles’ ball forward to Baltimore is so close to perfect, but Paredes cuts it out. Positive signs from the hosts now.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:13 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Ramirez’s cross rolls out to the edge of the box and Niamh Charles is on the end of it, but her shot is poor and blocked before it reaches the penalty area.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:12 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: A lovely move from Nusken leaves Batlle for dead, but Chelsea can’t quite complete the attack.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:11 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Cuthbert does well to find some space but her through ball is too far from Ramirez. Blues enjoying some possession now, but Barcelona’s press is suffocating them.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:09 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Ramirez wins possession high but is swiftly dispossessed by Batlle. Barcelona well clear in the early stages.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:06 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: Putellas shoots this time, also going over.
Barcelona looking the more likely side - one goal will likeyl settle it for them.
Chelsea go forward through Ramirez but her pass to Baltimore is cut out.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:05 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: The first shot of the day falls to Barcelona as Bonmati flicks the ball over her shoulder and volleys over the bar.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:04 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: A fast start at the Bridge as Baltimore makes an exploratory run down the right flank, but is held up. Chelsea play back around.
Naomi Girma takes a first touch in her Champions League full debut. She makes just her second Chelsea start since becoming the most expensive woman in football in January.
Chelsea 0-0 Barcelona (1-4 agg)
14:02 , Arthur Ferridge1min: Niamh Charles gets an early talking to for pulling back Graham.
KICK OFF
14:01 , Arthur FerridgeWe are UNDERWAY at Stamford Bridge, after a moment of silence for the late Pope Francis, broken only by a radio commentator letting his producer know why the stadium had gone so quiet.
Chelsea are in customary blue, Barcelona in lime green.
The players are out...
13:56 , Arthur FerridgeIt is nearly time to go...
Stamford Bridge is slowly filling up, and the atmosphere is pretty good for 2pm on a Sunday.
A big 90 minutes of Champions League football await.
It would not be Chelsea's first comeback of this UWCL campaign
13:45 , Arthur FerridgeBut it is a bigger ask.
Chelsea turned over a two-goal deficit to Man City in the quarter finals, on that occasion leading by three at halftime in the second leg as they cruised to the semis.
Today is admittedly a much bigger ask.
15 minutes to kickoff.
Chelsea with it all to do
13:42 , Arthur FerridgeThe onus today is, of course, on Chelsea. They are the ones chasing the game, and, as such, will need to start on the front foot and grab an early goal if they are to have any hope of coming away with something today.
But that will not be easy, as Barcelona will have the same mentality of wanting to kill the game off early doors.
The first goal may well decide this.
Millie Brihgt's custom trainers
13:36 , Arthur FerridgeMillie Bright has donned custom Air Force One trainers today to raise awareness of neurodiversity in sport.
It comes as Lucy Bronze shared earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with autism.
Is Bompastor feeling the pressure?
13:33 , Arthur FerridgeSome have said this season will be considered a failure if Chelsea do not win the Champions League, and it is hard to disagree.
Domestic success has come to be expected. Chelsea have won the treble before.
The Champions League is uncharted territory, though.
Chelsea's record signing returns
13:24 , Arthur FerridgeThe most expensive woman in football returns to the Chelsea XI for just the second time after she suffered a calf injury on debut.
The first million-dollar signing in the women’s game has a lot to prove, and this is a big big game to come into.
Travelling support are out in force
13:16 , Arthur FerridgeUpwards of 30,000 are expected at Stamford Bridge today - but which set of fans will come away the happier?
Statement of intent
12:55 , Arthur FerridgeThat is a massive statement of intent from Barcelona, who name an incredibly strong lineup.
Hat-trick hero of the first leg Pina starts alongside Bonmati and Putellas. The only respite for Chelsea is that trick winger Paralluelo drops to the bench.
Barcelona confirmed XI
12:50 , Arthur FerridgePere Romeu shows no mercy - he names a very strong lineup.
Barcelona confirmed XI: Cata Coll, Paredes, Maria Leon, Pina, Graham, Alexia Putellas, Patri, Aitana Bonmati, Rolfo, Pajor, Batlle
Subs: Gemma, Roebuck, Paralluelo, Marta, Vicky, Engen, Brugts, Cano, Schertenleib
Chelsea confirmed XI
12:46 , Arthur FerridgeSonia Bompastor lays her cards on the table.
Confirmed Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Girma, Charles; Walsh, Cuthbert, Nusken; Kaneryd, Ramirez, Baltimore
Subs: Spencer, Cox, Lawrence, Mpome, Kaptein, Jean-Francois, Hamano, Reiten, Brown, Macario, Beever-Jones
Team news up next
12:40 , Arthur FerridgeJust five minutes until squads are announced.
Chelsea's domestic success is not in question
12:38 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea’s loss in the first leg was anomalous, to say the least.
They are on track for an invincible WSL season, have already won the League Cup, and are in the FA Cup final.
But European success has evaded them for years.
Will Barcelona make it three straight semi-final victories over the Blues?
Chelsea arrive at Stamford Bridge
12:34 , Arthur FerridgeThe players are out for pitch inspection at Stamford Bridge, and they are immediately shedding hoodies and jackets - it is close to 20*c here and very sunny.
Will the weather play into the visitors’ hands? Maybe a cold, wet, London spring day would have given the hosts an edge.
Ones to watch: Can Baltimore produce more magic?
12:25 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea’s strengths tend to come from their full-backs, Sandy Baltimore and Lucy Bronze.
It was Baltimore’s goal in the first leg that kept Chelsea’s hopes of progression from being totally extinguished, while Bronze epitomises the hardworking modern full-back: a threat in attack and rock-steady in defence.
They will look to support Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten in the front line. They will need to score at least three goals today and will hope to get them in early with the home crowd behind them.
Sonia Bompastor previews the tie
12:15 , Arthur FerridgeBompastor is as honest as ever in her programme notes. She writes: “Everything is clear for us after the first leg - we have to turn around a three-goal deficit against the best team in Europe.
“It’s always tough to lose, especially when you are Chelsea, because it’s not something you experience a lot, but it’s part of the process.
“Sometimes you need to recognise, as was the case last Sunday, that we were not good enough to perform better and to get a better result.
“We cannot make the same mistakes again.
What happened in the first leg?
12:05 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea fell to their biggest losing margin of the season in the first leg, losing 4-1 in Barcelona.
They kept Barcelona honest through the first 70 minutes, only trailing by two until Sandy Baltimore rifled one home to halve the deficit.
But from there, capitulation. Chelsea rolled over and conceded twice late on to put the tie well out of reach.
Claudia Pina scored a hat trick for the hosts, with Irene Paredes making up the numbers.
StandardSport's Prediction: Too big an ask for Chelsea
11:55 , Arthur FerridgeThis Chelsea side have been rampant this season, already having won the League Cup and en route to an invincible WSL season, but the first leg of this tie reminded us all of the gulf in class between British teams and their European counterparts.
Barcelona have not lost a match by a four-goal margin in over a decade, which tells you just how big an ask this would be for Chelsea. They might win on the day, but to win the tie is too big an ask.
Chelsea win today, 2-1. Barcelona win the tie, 3-5.
Barcelona team news: There is no news
11:50 , Arthur FerridgeAn update posted yesterday on Barcelona’s website confirms that there is no news, which one would suppose is good news.
“The Barça coach will have the same squad available as in the match played at the Estadi Johan Cruyff,” it read.
Chelsea team news: No Lauren James
11:45 , Arthur FerridgeThe biggest injury headline ahead of today’s tie is that Lauren James is set to miss out after sustaining a hamstring injury on international duty.
But it is one in, one out for Chelsea, as Mia Fishel returned from a long-term injury last time out, marking the occasion with a goal against Crystal Palace.
Kadeisha Buchanan, Sam Kerr, Jorja Fox, Sophie Ingle, and Brooke Aspin are all absent with ACL injuries.
How to watch Chelsea vs Barcelona
11:40 , Arthur FerridgeThe game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 3. Coverage starts at 1pm BST ahead of a 2pm kick-off.
When is kick off?
11:35 , Arthur FerridgeToday’s action gets underway at 2pm BST under the West London sun at Stamford Bridge.
Team news is expected around 12:45pm.
Good morning!
11:28 , Arthur FerridgeHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semi-final second leg.
Barcelona lead 1-4 after the first leg, which means Chelsea have a small mountain to climb. Can they pull off a remontada for the ages?
Follow along for all the updates, team news, and reaction from Arthur Ferridge at Stamford Bridge.
