Chelsea Stuns Barcelona in Women’s Champions League Semifinal First Leg
In a thrilling match at the Olympic Stadium, Chelsea pulled off a stunning upset against reigning champions Barcelona in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semifinal. The Blues, led by manager Emma Hayes, are now one step closer to their first European title.
Barcelona, who had not lost at home since February 2019, dominated early on but it was Chelsea who took the lead in the 40th minute with a brilliant strike from Erin Cuthbert. Despite Barcelona’s possession and attacking efforts, Chelsea’s solid defense held strong and denied them any goals.
The game was not without controversy, as Barcelona had a penalty awarded for handball overturned after a VAR check showed an offside player in the build-up. This lifeline gave Chelsea the opportunity to hold onto their lead and secure the win.
But the job is not done yet for Chelsea, as they head into the second leg at Stamford Bridge with a slim advantage. Manager Emma Hayes is calling on the home crowd to come out and support the team, recognizing the challenge they still face against the Spanish giants.
“We will only be as strong as the crowd that comes out,” Hayes told Kosport Magazine. “It’s important we pack Stamford Bridge out to give half a chance against the best team in the world. We are at half-time and there is another level to Barcelona.”
Despite the impressive win, Hayes is not getting carried away and knows that there is still work to be done in the second leg. She praised her team for executing the game plan and limiting Barcelona’s world-class players, but also acknowledged the challenge that still lies ahead.
“It’s a difficult place to come, they carried out the game plan I asked them to do so from that perspective I’m happy,” Hayes added. “A lot of teams come here and go 1-0 or 2-0 down early on and you have to ride that. They have unbelievable players that are world class in everything they do but for the most part we limited them.”
The second leg is sure to be an intense and exciting match, as Chelsea looks to secure their spot in the Women’s Champions League final. But for now, they can celebrate their impressive victory over the reigning champions and focus on the task at hand.
Summary:
In a surprising turn of events, Chelsea defeated Barcelona in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semifinal. Despite Barcelona’s dominance, Chelsea’s solid defense and a brilliant goal from Erin Cuthbert gave them the advantage. Manager Emma Hayes is calling on the home crowd to support the team in the second leg, as they aim for their first European title. But with the challenge of facing the Spanish giants still ahead, Hayes is not getting carried away and knows there is still work to be done.
