Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona: Blues trail in Women's Champions League semi-final

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen scored after just four minutes in London

Chelsea will have to come from behind against Barcelona to reach the Women's Champions League final after losing the semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Caroline Graham Hansen superbly curled in the winner in the first half for Barcelona, who later lost England defender Lucy Bronze to injury.

The England right-back went down off the ball holding her knee in the 66th minute, a day after her national team captain Leah Williamson was ruled out of the World Cup with a serious knee injury.

Barcelona manager Jonatan Giraldez said after the game "the feeling is really good" with Bronze but there were concerns at the time the defender felt the issue and they did not want to take any risks.

Her exit from the game was the most significant moment of a second half that Barcelona dictated to see out a win that means Chelsea know they must score at least once when they travel to Spain on Thursday for the second leg.

The semi-final was a repeat of the 2021 final, when Barcelona put four goals past Chelsea after 36 minutes - and they threatened to do the same in London.

Graham Hansen was afforded too much space as she cut in off the right and fired brilliantly past goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger within four minutes.

Chelsea responded, creating chances of their own through Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr - but Barcelona substitute Marta Torrejon also struck the post late in the second half.

Emma Hayes' side, who are seeking to win the Treble this season, know they will need a strong performance in Spain to overcome last year's runners-up and keep that dream alive.

"Barcelona are an amazing team. We had a disappointing start. But we grew into the first half, scored a goal that was offside, and we need to be perfect to beat these guys," said Hayes.

"In the second half we needed to be better on the ball in the right moments."

Tie remains finely balanced

England's Lucy Bronze was able to walk onto the pitch at full-time despite going off with an injury

The semi-final, watched by a record crowd for the competition in the UK of 27,697, remains finely balanced despite the home-leg defeat as Chelsea wisely dug in against Barca to give themselves a chance of pulling off something special next week.

"You have to suffer. You have to be without the ball. One switch off and positional error cost us the goal," added Hayes.

"They have different threats. I think we limited them to as few chances as we possibly could and I'll take that going into the next game."

Barcelona, who were shaken slightly by Chelsea's positive response after conceding early, regrouped at the break and were able to play their trademark possession-based football.

Fridolina Rolfo forced a superb save from Chelsea goalkeeper Berger in the 90th minute after Torrejon's effort had almost sneaked inside the post.

Sweden striker Rolfo was also dangerous at set-pieces, using her height to win aerial challenges, while Geyse and Salma Paralluelo threatened with their pace in behind.

Chelsea also had weapons that concerned Barcelona, notably when Kerr and Reiten combined when there was an opportunity to play directly.

From one of those link-ups they had the ball in the net in the first half - but it was ruled out for offside.

"We were aware of the direct game and Sam Kerr passing with Guro Reiten," added Giraldez.

"It was beginning to be dangerous so we changed and stopped them at the first line. We controlled this better."

Substitute Lauren James made an impact after the break with her ability to carry the ball, helping Chelsea move up the pitch and relieving the pressure on their defence.

Manager Hayes will have been boosted for the second leg by the return of forward Pernille Harder, who came off the bench to make her first appearance since November after recovering from a long-term injury.

Chelsea knew it was going to be a tough task against a Barcelona side who have looked supreme in Europe in recent years allied to the fact the Blues were missing injured defenders Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan.

But they remain in the hunt for three trophies this season - the Women's Super League, the FA Cup and the ultimate European crown - even if their task is a tall one.

Barcelona - who like England fans will be encouraged that Bronze was able to walk back onto the pitch at full-time to shake hands with her opponents - are seeking a third successive final and know avoiding defeat in Spain next week will secure that.

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