Chelsea ´beaten fair and square´ as Barca breeze into WCL final

Erin Cuthbert conceded Chelsea were “beaten fair and square” by Barcelona, who prevailed 4-1 at Stamford Bridge to seal an 8-2 aggregate rout in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.

Barca progressed to a record-equalling fifth straight final, following a pair of 4-1 victories over the Women’s Super League leaders.

Pere Romeu’s side struck in the 25th minute of the second leg, as Aitana Bonmati fired into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Ewa Pajor’s close-range finish and a 20-yard strike from Claudia Pina put Barca 3-0 to the good before half-time.

Salma Parraluelo capitalised on Niamh Charles’ error to add a fourth in the dying moments, rendering Wieke Kaptein’s stoppage-time strike the merest of consolations for the hosts.

“I think the emotions are quite raw just now,” Cuthbert told TNT Sports. “It’s fair to say we were beaten fair and square.

“We had a good spell in the first 20 minutes. But if you don’t score, Barca are always going to go up the other end and hurt you. They were brilliant again today. We did start well, but we just faded in the game.

“When you know how many goals you need to score, at that point, it becomes more difficult. They’re so clinical; they get three chances and score three goals, so credit to them. Going forward, that’s something we need to improve.

“For us [after half-time], it was just about playing with a bit of pride. We were 3-0 down and the tie was probably lost at that point. We all represent one of the biggest clubs in the world, which comes with a weight, pressure and the expectation that you’re going to give everything for the badge.

“We must use this hurt, what it feels like, and know we don’t want to feel that again – and use it as fuel and motivation to keep going.”

Our Champions League journey comes to an end. #UWCL pic.twitter.com/7pS6YDjKqm

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) April 27, 2025

“Barcelona have extremely good technical ability,” skipper Millie Bright told UEFA.com. “You can’t make those mistakes against these opponents, and being 3-0 behind at half-time was too much to come back from.

“There are a lot of lessons for next year and, hopefully, we’ll be back. We never want to be losing games, let alone the manner in which we’ve lost these games in a competition we want to win so badly for the club and the fans.”

Barca will now look to win their third straight Champions League title, having won each of their last 17 Champions League ties played over two legs.

Romeu’s side have also been victorious in each of their last 18 competitive away games.

“I am very happy, but our goal is to win the Champions League,” Pajor added. “We played very well in these two games against Chelsea. We played how we wanted, and we have to keep going.

“I am new to Barca this season, and the way the players and staff want to improve is amazing. It’s amazing to be part of this club and a big privilege to play with these players.”

See you in Lisbon, @FCBfemeni!#UWCL || #UWCLfinal pic.twitter.com/6kajTPw4fB

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) April 27, 2025