Barcelona femini on Saturday reached their fourth Women’s Champions League final with a controversial 2-0 win against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg.
Barcelona overturned a 1-0 first leg deficit, Jonatan Giraldez’s side took the lead through Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan was sent off in the second half for a contentious second booking.
And Fridolina Rolfo wrapped up Barcelona’s 2-1 aggregate victory with a debatable penalty.
It will be Barca’s fourth successive final berth as they look to lift the trophy for the third time.
“We are very happy. We deserved the victory. The first leg we were not better than the opponent. Today we created more clear chances,” Giraldez said.
“The connection with the players is amazing. I’m proud of them. I’m really happy to get another final. It’s special.”
Chelsea’s first-leg victory last week is the only defeat Barca have suffered this season, ending the club’s five-year unbeaten record on home turf.
But Blues boss Emma Hayes, who leaves to take charge of the USA women’s national team at the of this season, said Chelsea would have to produce a perfect display to overcome “the best team in the world” again in the rematch.
Chelsea were unable to rise to the challenge and their wait for a first Champions League crown goes on.
They have now lost to Barca in successive Champions League semi-finals after being beaten by the Spanish club in the 2021 final.