Chelsea suffered a heartbreaking loss to Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League, with manager Emma Hayes calling it the “worst decision in Women’s Champions League history.” The match, which took place at Stamford Bridge in front of a record-breaking crowd of 39,398, ended Chelsea’s dreams of reaching the final for the second year in a row.
The controversy came in the second half when Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. Hayes criticized the referee, Iuliana Demetrescu, for what she believed was a harsh decision. She argued that Buchanan’s challenge was not a foul and that the referee’s decision ultimately cost them the game.
Despite the setback, Chelsea had their chances to equalize. Melanie Leupolz struck the post in the 31st minute, but her effort would not have counted due to an offside call. Catarina Macario also forced a save from Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Catalina Coll. However, Chelsea’s best opportunity came just before halftime when Lauren James failed to convert from close range.
In the second half, Chelsea came out swinging in search of an equalizer but were dealt a blow when Buchanan was sent off. Despite making late substitutions and appealing for a penalty late in the game, Chelsea couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Hayes expressed her disappointment with the result, stating that she believed her team was on top before Buchanan’s dismissal. She also mentioned that losing influential striker Mayra Ramirez to injury didn’t help their cause. However, she acknowledged that everything seemed to go Barcelona’s way, from the deflected goal to the penalty awarded against them.
The defeat means that Chelsea’s hopes of winning silverware this season now rest solely on the Women’s Super League title. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Hayes and her players, who had their sights set on a historic Champions League triumph.
Barcelona’s victory sets up a mouthwatering final against either Lyon or Paris Saint-Germain. The Spanish giants will be hoping to clinch their first Women’s Champions League title and continue their dominance in the women’s game.
Overall, it was a night of disappointment for Chelsea, but they can take solace in their incredible journey in the tournament. Despite falling short, they showcased their talent and proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in women’s football.