Barcelona 0-1 Chelsea: Player ratings as Blues hand Barca famous home defeat

A magnificent defensive display earned Chelsea a vital 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final against reigning champions Barcelona on Saturday, handing the Spanish side their first home defeat since February 2019.

Barcelona may have dominated the majority of possession in an evenly matched first half, but it was Chelsea who found themselves ahead at the break after Erin Cuthbert stroked home from inside the penalty area in the 39th minute.

The hosts were left frustrated by the visitors in the second half and were unable to grab themselves an equaliser, with Chelsea securing an important one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg.

A repeat of the 2020/21 Champions League final and last season's semi-final in this competition, Chelsea were looking for revenge after some traumatic clashes with Barcelona. But it was the hosts who made the brighter start to proceedings, applying plenty of pressure to Hannah Hampton's goal in the early stages.

Despite their territorial dominance, it wasn't until the 16th minute that Barcelona forged their first promising opening. Aitana Bonmati drove to the edge of the Chelsea box from her own half before releasing Salma Paralluelo, but the 20-year-old's effort was blocked well by the sensational Jess Carter.

Chelsea's belief grew as the half wore on and they managed to sneak in front just six minutes before the break. Sjoeke Nusken's neat footwork and pass found Cuthbert inside the box, and the Scotland international worked some room before firing her strike beyond the outstretched glove of Catalina Coll.

Barcelona came out swinging in the second half and thought they had earned themselves a penalty just six minutes after the restart. Patricia Guijarro's