Emma Hayes and Chelsea denied fairytale ending as Barcelona reach Women's Champions League final

FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE — Emma Hayes may have played down the significance of this match prior to kick-off, but it was difficult to escape the magnitude of the tie at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The manager is set to depart Chelsea at the end of the season for pastures new in the United States and a semi-final clash against Barcelona presented one final opportunity to reach the Champions League final and move within touching distance of European glory.

Jonatan Giraldez’s side have emerged as one of Chelsea’s meanest obstacles in recent years. The west London club were comfortably beaten 4-0 by Barcelona in the 2021 final and last season’s dream was ended by the Catalan giants once again, this time at the semi-final stage, with a 2-1 aggregate score over two legs.

This term, there was a glimmer of hope things would be different. Hayes’ side went to Barcelona a week ago and edged a narrow, but crucial, one-goal victory.

A heroic defensive display from Jess Carter and co left Barcelona frustrated as they fell to their first home defeat in five years. But, it was only half-time and Chelsea knew they still had a mammoth task ahead of them.

Despite a welcomed return to the squad for a handful of defenders, Chelsea were handed a significant blow pre-match with the absence of January signing Mayra Ramirez. Hayes revealed post-match she withdrew from the squad after training on Friday.

It was Catarina Macario and Lauren James who were tasked with leading the line for Chelsea on the night. Both looked lively in the opening stages, but it was Barcelona who took the lead in the first-half at Stamford Bridge.

Aitana Bonmati did what she does best and drove forward to get a shot away. It took a fortunate deflection off Kadeisha Buchanan and