Barcelona delivered a commanding performance in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, securing a 4-1 victory at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The win places the Catalan giants in a strong position ahead of the second leg, with Chelsea needing a remarkable turnaround to keep their hopes alive in this competition.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor admitted that her team was simply “not good enough,” acknowledging that Barcelona’s technical superiority had been evident throughout the match. The defeat marked just the second time Chelsea have lost in all competitions since Bompastor took charge last summer. She conceded that her side was unable to cope with Barcelona’s high standards and quality on the ball, especially during the final stages of the match when the scoreline could have been even more damaging.
In the opening stages, Chelsea held firm, with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton making a crucial penalty save to deny Alexia Putellas. The penalty came after a handball by Chelsea’s Nathalie Björn, and Hampton’s quick reflexes kept the score level at 0-0. However, Barcelona’s pressure soon told. Putellas orchestrated a beautiful move, slipping a ball through for Ewa Pajor, who finished calmly to put the hosts ahead.
Chelsea tried to regroup after the break, but Barcelona’s class shone through once again. The second goal was a remarkable example of the team’s fluid, fast-paced style of play. Barcelona strung together 18 passes, with Pina playing a key role in the build-up. After a stunning team move, Pina was in the right place to finish from close range, giving Barcelona a commanding 2-0 lead.
Chelsea briefly regained some hope when Sandy Baltimore pulled one back for Bompastor’s side with a sharp strike into the far corner. However, Barcelona quickly restored their two-goal advantage through a header from Irene Paredes, who was left unmarked at the far post. Pina then added her second goal in the 90th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball in the box to effectively seal Chelsea’s fate in the first leg.
Barcelona’s performance was a display of technical brilliance, with key contributions from Caroline Graham Hansen, who was a threat down the left flank despite recovering from illness just before the match. Throughout the game, Barcelona were superior in nearly every department, from possession to pressing, leaving Chelsea struggling to maintain any consistent threat going forward.
Despite the heavy defeat, Bompastor remained hopeful for the second leg at Stamford Bridge. She urged her team to remain focused and believe that anything could happen in football. Chelsea will need a near-perfect performance to overturn this deficit, as Barcelona head to London with a commanding lead. The Catalan side is now aiming to reach their fifth consecutive final, with the possibility of winning their fourth title in five years.
For Barcelona, the victory is a step closer to defending their crown and extending their dominance in European women’s football. However, Paredes was cautious in her comments, reminding everyone that the tie was far from over, and the second leg would still require the same level of focus and performance. Chelsea, on the other hand, have their work cut out for them, as they look to mount one of the most significant comebacks in recent Women’s Champions League history.
