Barcelona booked their place in a third consecutive women’s Champions League final with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Thursday at Camp Nou, progressing 2-1 on aggregate.
First-leg goalscorer Caroline Graham Hansen broke the deadlock after 63 minutes but Guro Reiten quickly levelled from a rebound after Sam Kerr was denied.
In front of over 72,000 fans, the third highest attendance in the competition’s history, behind two records set by Barcelona last season, the 2021 winners held on to reach a fourth final in five years.
Chelsea showed plenty of grit to stay in the tie against a superior Barca, becoming the first side to stop them from winning in a home match all season across all competitions.
“There was a period after their goal where it seemed they were more in our half of the pitch, but we stopped them creating chances,” said said Barca coach Jonatan Giraldez.
“We are very happy, for the team and for the fans. We suffered when we had to suffer, we know it’s not easy — and we’re in another final.”
Barcelona were without England defender Lucy Bronze after knee surgery, while Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was on the bench for the first time this season after her ACL injury last July.
However the Spanish star was not risked as a substitute in a tense and hard-fought game which went down to the wire.
“The game was too open, the speed was too high, and for a return it was too risky,” said Giraldez.
“We will try to get her out there in the next game.”
Graham Hansen thought she had fired Barcelona ahead again early on but the strike was disallowed as she used her arm to control the ball.
Nigeria international Asisat Oshoala slashed wildly off target when well placed as the hosts dominated the ball but struggled to find the opening goal.
Aitana Bonmati showed fantastic footwork in the area but could not find the net, as Barcelona gave the Blues a lesson in possession football but not finishing.
