Barcelona record narrow first leg victory over Chelsea in UWCL semi-final | OneFootball

Barcelona are taking a narrow UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final, first leg advantage back to Spain after defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Caroline Graham Hansen’s early goal was enough to separate the two sides in the first leg. Barcelona were dominant for large parts but were unable to increase their advantage over the course of the 90 minutes.

It was a nightmare start for Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side with Barcelona breaking the deadlock with their first shot on goal. Graham Hansen was given too much space on the edge of the box and she rifled her effort into the far corner of The Blues net.

Despite going ahead, Barcelona were in no mood to sit back. Graham Hansen tested Ann-Katrin Berger with a scuffed shot before Geyse’s effort from distance was gathered by the Chelsea keeper.

Chelsea grew into the contest as the half went on and they had a couple of half-chances to get back into the game. First, Sam Kerr saw a deflected effort claimed by Barcelona keeper Sandra Paños before Guro Reiten had a goal disallowed, Kerr being offside in the build-up. It was Reiten who again went close moments later when she rounded Paños but Lucy Bronze was there to block the shot on the line.

Barcelona could have gone into the break two goals to the good but Graham Hansen was denied by a combination of Maren Mjelde and Berger after dangerously advancing towards goal.

Good quality goalscoring chances proved hard to come by early in the second half. Half-time substitute Lauren James curled an effort at Paños before Geyse scuffed a shot at Berger at the other end.

Barcelona had chances to increase their lead late in the game but Marta Torrejón saw a header come back off the post before Berger did well to push a Fridolina Rolfö shot behind in the final minute as the game ended 1-0.

The two sides are scheduled to contest the second leg in Barcelona on Thursday evening.