This goal marked the first time Chelsea had led against Barcelona after two heartbreaking previous losses: in the 2021 final and then in last year’s semi-final exit. The biggest challenge was holding on.
The worst scare came in the first few minutes of the second half, as Barcelona were awarded lsea, judging Paralluelo to be interfering with play from a marginally offside position and the penalty was disallowed.
From thereon the Barcelona crowd were out for blood. The penalty decision turned the atmosphere tenser, and they mercilessly jeered Chelsea for wasting time. While the fans were on top form, the Barcelona team were far from their best, finishing the match with one shot on target (which came in stoppage time). This is a team that has scored 32 goals during their nine previous matches in this campaign.
A late Paralluelo effort went agonisingly wide. Aitana Bonmati, Barcelona’s supreme playmaker, punched the ground after yet another Barcelona cross was cleared. When Alexia Putellas missed a sitter at the death it was clear this was not the reigning champions’ day.
At the close, the crowd chanted “si se puede” (”yes we can”), but Chelsea will do everything they can to squash that belief come next week.
Match details
Barcelona (4-3-3): Coll; Batlle (Bronze 63), Engen (Putellas 63), Paredes, Rolfö; Guijarro, Walsh, Bonmati; Graham Hansen, Mariona (Lopez 73), Paralluelo. Subs: Panos, Fernandez, Pina, Torrejon, Vilamala, Brugts, Dragoni, Ari, Martina
Bookings: Paredes
Chelsea (4-3-3): Hampton; Lawrence, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Cuthbert, Nüsken, Leupolz; Rytting Kaneryd, Ramirez (Reiten 90+2), James (Macario 73). Subs: Musovic, Cox, Bright, Ingle, Kirby, Persist, Beevor-Jones
Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Attendance: 36,428
