Erin Cuthbert’s impressive strike secured a 1-0 away victory for Emma Hayes’ Chelsea over holders Barcelona in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-final on Saturday.
Chelsea executed a solid defensive performance at the Olympic Stadium, frustrating a Barcelona side that has been dominant in Europe, aiming for their third title in four seasons.
Jonatan Giraldez’s Barcelona, who defeated Chelsea convincingly in the 2021 final and narrowly won in last season’s semis, suffered their first home defeat in over five years.
Emma Hayes, eyeing her first Champions League triumph before departing for the US women’s national team, emphasized the importance of team effort in their victory.
She acknowledged Barcelona’s quality, highlighting Chelsea’s need for a flawless performance to compete.
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Chelsea’s game plan succeeded as they limited Barcelona’s chances while staying compact defensively and posing threats on the counter-attack.
Chelsea capitalized on a rare attacking opportunity just before halftime when Erin Cuthbert expertly finished off Sjoeke Nusken’s setup to put the visitors ahead.
Barcelona pushed hard in the second half, believing they deserved a penalty after a VAR review was inconclusive due to an offside call.
Despite Barcelona’s relentless efforts and late chances, including a miss from Alexia Putellas, Chelsea held on to secure a vital away win.
Looking ahead to the second leg at Stamford Bridge on April 27, Emma Hayes anticipated a fierce response from Barcelona, emphasizing their status as champions.
Meanwhile, Jonatan Giraldez remained composed, emphasizing the importance of focus and minor details in a finely balanced tie.
The stage is set for an intriguing second leg as Barcelona seeks to overturn the deficit against a resilient Chelsea side.
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