Women's Champions League: Barcelona 1-1 Chelsea (agg 2-1) - Blues out despite Nou Camp draw
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Caroline Graham Hansen scored both goals for Barcelona in the two-legged tie
Chelsea are out of the Women's Champions League despite an impressive draw with Barcelona in the second leg of their semi-final tie at the Nou Camp.
Emma Hayes' side, thrashed by Barca in the final two years ago, knew they had to score in Spain to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit.
Facing a side who had won their last 19 home games in Europe, Chelsea's task became harder when Caroline Graham Hansen slotted in the opener after a devastating counter-attack in the 63rd minute.
But the Blues responded four minutes later - while the majority of the more than 70,000 fans inside the Nou Camp were still celebrating - when Guro Reiten coolly struck home after Sam Kerr's smart run in behind.
Chelsea pushed for the winner as they still trailed on aggregate but it never came as Barcelona confirmed their place in the final for a third successive year.
It ends Chelsea's pursuit of a Treble but they remain firmly in the Women's Super League title race and will compete with Manchester United for the Women's FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Barcelona head into the final looking to reclaim the crown they lost to Lyon last year. They face the winner of the second semi-final between Arsenal and Wolfsburg, which is finely poised at 2-2 following the first leg.
Formidable Barcelona a task too big
Chelsea travelled to Barcelona knowing they had to produce arguably the greatest performance in their history to overturn the first-leg deficit.
The atmosphere before kick-off was carnival-like, with Barcelona fans draped in the club's colours waiting to greet the team bus and chant the name of returning Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was named on the bench for the first time in 10 months following a serious knee injury.
With the hostile crowd an intimidating backdrop, Chelsea's gameplan was clear: they wanted to frustrate Barcelona, keep them at bay and stay in the game for as long as possible - and they did it well initially.
Barcelona could not manage a shot on target in the first half, although they squandered several chances.
Mariona Caldentey was teed up by Graham Hansen but fired over while Aitana Bonmati's teasing cross almost crept under the bar before goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger clawed it off the line.
Nigeria forward Asisat Oshoala misfired on a few occasions, while Graham Hansen - the goalscorer at Stamford Bridge in the first leg - was a constant terror.
But despite defending well for more than an hour, Chelsea were always going to have to take risks and that meant they were vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Bonmati, who pulled the strings for Barcelona in midfield, waited for the perfect opportunity to slip in Graham Hansen and when that break eventually came the Norwegian made no mistake.
Chelsea's response was immediate, Reiten firing in from a rebound after goalkeeper Sandra Panos saved from Kerr following a well-worked ball over the top but it was not enough to knock formidable opponents off balance.
The hosts kept causing problems until the final minute and Chelsea could not muster another chance as their Champions League dream slipped away for another year.
Another chance of glory for Barca as Chelsea's wait goes on
Chelsea have never won the Women's Champions League
Barcelona will go into the final on 3 June as heavy favourites whoever they play, having dominated in Europe in recent years.
Their defeat to Lyon 11 months ago came as a blow after they had swept aside the competition in 2021, but the French giants were beaten by Chelsea en route to the semi-finals this year so will not stand in Barca's way.
They continue to showcase their astonishing talents with Bonmati and Graham Hansen particularly impressive against Chelsea - and superstar Putellas could yet be unleashed for the final.
For Hayes, it is another disappointing end to the pursuit of a trophy that has eluded her grasp throughout her Chelsea tenure.
Her players looked understandably distraught at full-time and they did not stick around as their counterparts did a lap of honour.
Chelsea's season is far from over, though, and this defeat will only make them hungrier as they continue to fight for silverware on two fronts.