Chelsea fall short and are knocked out of Champions League as Lyon reach fourth consecutive final
Chelsea 1 Lyon 1 (agg 2-3)
For Chelsea, there is to be no first-ever Champions League final - not yet, at least. Instead, Lyon will line up for their fourth consecutive final, this time against Barcelona. Despite all of it - from Emma Hayes’ stiffling of a team many fear is without a weak point to that thundering, bruising, second-half spell where Chelsea made Lyon look as mortal as they ever have, this remained a bridge too far.
Chelsea’s programme notes had warned that Lyon “scored goals for fun”, the reasons being Avaldsnes and Ajax were seen off with a combined aggregate score of 20-0 before they beat Wolfsburg 6-3 in the quarter finals. They have reached the final of this competition seven times in the last decade. They won their 13th French title in a row on Wednesday and prior to this had not been beaten by any side in normal time for 119 matches. That run now extends to 120.
Within 17 minutes they had punctured Chelsea’s pre-match optimism but Emma Hayes’ side will know the threat for that fatal finish could have been snuffed out earlier. Cescarino found Hegerberg inside the area after shrugging off Jonna Andersson and Magdalena Eriksson’s distant press, and within a handful of touches Eugeine Le Sommer was credited for a finish that may have taken a fairly meaningless deflection - it was destined to roll over the line in any case - off Maren Mjelde at the last.
For the ensuing ten-minute period, Lyon were something close to indomitable and answered every question Chelsea posed. Where Chelsea pressed, their opponents twisted and gyrated their way out of trouble like contortionists. Ji’s pleas for a penalty fell on deaf ears when she became tangled with Amel Majri inside the area and Chelsea were unluckier still, on first viewing at least, when Bachmann’s delivery to Erin Cuthbert cannoned off Lucy Bronze’s outstretched arm after first deflecting via her leg. Bronze, you may recall, had benefitted from the same rule two years earlier when she had persuaded the referee to overturn a penalty awarded against Ellen White during England’s 2-0 win over Spain.
It was all the hosts could do to keep pace with recently disappeared shadows as Lyon sent the ball fizzing from one end to the other in their sped-up game of pass the parcel. They were so emboldened that Dzsenifer Marozsan swivelled and beat the largely excellent Maren Mjelde with a backheel, and in that flush of audacity on Chelsea’s own turf, Lyon swaggered like a fox primed to mark its territory. You sensed one more insult might have just about done it.
It was then Chelsea broke, looking like a side intent on defending their honour. Within a blitz of passes Erin Cuthbert was on the cusp of Lyon’s area when she was felled by Delphine Cascarino, so difficult for Chelsea to contain in the first leg. Chelsea’s protestations for a penalty were ignored - Cuthbert waited too long to go to ground - but Ji’s free kick looped, unopposed, into the far left corner.
“I personally think [it was a penalty],” Cuthbert said. “I’ve been clipped. I tried to stay on my feet because I had the chance to score. In my opinion I think it’s a goalscoring opportunity.”
Chelsea had their life ring and enacted the rest of the first half to a soundtrack of blood thundering in their ears. Bachmann and Bouhaddi both entered the book after the Lyon keeper refused to hand the ball over for the restart after Ji’s goal: the ensuing tussle ended with Bouhaddi lying prostrate over the ball, Bachmann with steam piping from her ears and choruses of ‘cheat, cheat’ enveloping Kingsmeadow. Within five minutes Mjelde had shoulderbarged the inagural Ballon D’or winner Ada Hegerberg into the nearest hoarding and the screeching shift in momentum was almost audible.
Fran Kirby’s teasing delivery fell to Bachmann but the danger was diverted by Majri, before Bouhaddi smothered Millie Bright’s strike from point-blank range from Erin Cuthbert’s free-kick. From an acute angle Carney clipped the post and Drew Spence will not soon forget missing the clearest opportunity of the tie, when Cuthbert’s free-kick fell to her, inches from goal, and all she had to do was hit the target. She stroked wide at a time when Lyon, as they were always wont to, made their class known time and again. From one break Hegerberg hit the side netting and from another Majri fired over. In those moments Chelsea’s difficulties in front of goal - Kirby stroked wide with seconds remaining - told.
“The better team has lost,” said Hayes. “If Carney’s goal goes in or Drew Spence’s - there’s no way they’d have recovered in extra time. Lyon’s best player, in both legs, has been their goalkeeper. When was the last time Lyon’s goalkeeper has been their player of the match?”
The Lyon manager, Reynald Pedros, said: “They could have qualfiied quite easily for the Champions League final. It’s not often Lyon come off the pitch worn out both physically and mentally. We’re used to dominating sides and in some cases being head and shoulder above the opposition. Today that wasn’t the case.”
Match details
Chelsea: Berger; Mjelde, Bright, Eriksson, Andersson (Blundell 57); Cuthbert, Ingle (Spence 77), Ji So-yun, Carney; Kirby, Bachmann (England 62)
Subs not used: Lindahl (g), Thorisdottir, Carter, Engman,
Booked: Bachmann
Lyon: Bouhaddi; Bronze, M’Bock Bathy, Renard, Bacha (Fishlock 45); Marozsan, Henry (Kumagai 83), Majri; Cascarino (van de Sanden 69), Hegerberg Le Sommer
Subs not used: Weiss (g), Buchanan, Fishlock, Jaimes, Simon.
Booked: Henry, Cascarino, Renard, Bouhaddi, Fishlock
Referee: Sara Persson (SWE)
Attendance: 4,670
FT: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
A one-two with England and Kirby uses her pace to send a low cross through to two Chelsea shirts running into the box. But the pass is too heavy and they can't reach the ball before it scuppers out of play. Kirby is distraught.
But there is one last opportunity coming for Chelsea, Mjelde sends a cross in but Bouhaddi in goal jumps to catch it.
That's it - the Lyon players are jubilant, the Chelsea players drop to their knees. Their European dream over, Lyon getting the job done.
92 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Hegerberg misses a sitter from close range - she cannot close this out for Lyon. All the good fortune is really pointing Chelsea's way but they can't find a goal yet.
89 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
A mistake from Bright at the halfway line puts Chelsea in a tricky position, but Le Sommer cannot convert on the break. The home side can breathe a sigh of relief, but they still need a goal here and they are frantically looking for one. Five minutes of added time is good news for them.
86 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Spence to Mjelde whose cross is blocked for a corner. Another chance here for the Chelsea side, but the corner is cleared and Lyon regain possession.
83 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Kumagai replaces Henry for Lyon.
81 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Cuthbert is pushed over by Majri, and gives Chelsea a perfect set-piece opportunity. Cuthbert swings the ball in, too high for all the Chelsea players in the air but it falls at Spence's feet. But the Chelsea substitute wasn't expecting it to fall and she scuffs it wide. What a chance, she was completely free from Lyon pressure just to the left of the far post, but couldn't finish it off.
Less than 10 minutes remaining, and Chelsea need a goal to stop Lyon making the final for the fourth consecutive time.
78 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Van Der Sanden taps the ball forward to Hegerberg on the break for Lyon. Her half-volley finds the side netting, but a scare for Chelsea there.
76 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Substitution for Chelsea: Ingle off, Drew Spence on.
72 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Chelsea haven't had as much of the ball recently, they have turned the tempo down and Lyon are taking advantage. Le Sommer has a chance, and Berger is forced to tip the curling ball over the bar.
69 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Lyon substitution: Cascarino off for former Liverpool player Van de Sanden.
Fishlock tries her luck from range too - but it's saved by Berger.
67 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Hegerberg curls in a great strike and forces the punch away the ball. Marozsan then picks up the loose ball and makes an attempt from range which goes way over the bar.
Just under 4600 in attendance today is announced - and they're being given a real treat.
65 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Lyon are making more mistakes, more wayward passes as Chelsea pile on the pressure. Fishlock chases a breaking Kirby and takes her down with a hard tackle - perhaps a tactical move there but it earns her a yellow card.
Cuthbert swings in the free kick and Bright lunges at the ball only for the goalkeeper to save it. It's messy, but Lyon manage to clear it. The champions are being given a real game.
61 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Substitutions for Chelsea: Andersson made way for Blundell a few minutes ago, and now Chelsea top-scorer Beth England is on for Bachmann. She is greeted with rapturous cheers. Can she be the difference here as she has been so much this season?
59 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Chelsea on the break again. Cuthbert feeds Carney the ball on the left, and she looks like she's contemplating a pass before launching a curling ball towards goal. It clatters the post, and that is the best chance of the half. There is a new wave of momentum and Chelsea are riding it.
55 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Chelsea with a big chance! Kirby on the break, she staves off Lyon defender Renard towering over her and threads a pass through to the centre of the box to Bachmann whose shot is blocked. Such a great chance, and she is visibly disappointed with that attempt. Positive for the home side though after a lot of pressure from Lyon.
52 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Lyon are coming forward again. Bronze's shot is blocked by Bright, and a couple of rebounding attempts are also blocked but Chelsea are really under attack here. They are hanging on for now, but they need to try to regain some control, retain the ball more.
50 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Le Sommer forces Carney to clear for a Lyon corner. The ball is punched away and Bronze fouls Ji so Chelsea avoid any danger, but Lyon have come out after the break stronger.
46 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Welsh player Jess Fishlock replaces Bacha for Lyon.
Second half coming up next
HT: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
What a first half, Chesea really want this and it shows. They were playing positive football at the end there, really pressing and forcing Lyon to make errors, so perhaps would not have wanted the break to come when it did. Huge 45 minutes coming up next, they need one more goal to force extra time.
45 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Chelsea with more possession in the last few minutes, they are really competing with this Lyon side. No clear cut chances as such though.
Hegerberg - who has been closed down in the box by Bright most of this half - finally gets a shot. A good chance for Lyon, but she scuffs it wide.
41 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
Short break in play there for Cascarino who was getting some medical attention after being knocked down. The break looks to have calmed things down a bit.
38 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
The competitiveness on this pitch is palpable, lots of strong challenges. Bachmann is really riled up - too riled up - and perhaps not channeling her aggression as expertly as she should be. A wayward challenge from her was risky considering she had just been booked.
GOAL!!!!! 34 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Lyon (agg 2-3)
What a goal from Ji. Chelsea have a free kick - but it could have been a penalty. Cuthbert is tripped up by Cascarino just outside the box according to the referee and sent stumbling to the ground.
Ji takes the free kick - she curls it over the wall at into the top left corner. What a goal and moment - the home crowd are going wild. Chelsea are back in this.
Chelsea's Bachmann and Lyon keeper Bouhaddi ruin the moment slightly by wrestling over the ball, as Bachmann wants to restart as soon as possible. Both get booked for the hot-headed behaviour.
27 mins: Chelsea 0 - 1 Lyon (agg 1-3)
A sharp challenge on Ingle at the halfway line earns Henry a yellow card.
23 mins: Chelsea 0 - 1 Lyon
Chelsea aren't doing badly, but it's just that last pass that's being rushed or badly delivered. Kirby is trying to get into the game, but she is being forced to chase down poor ball after poor ball.
GOAL!!! 18 mins: Chelsea 0 - 1 Lyon
A great team goal from Lyon. Cascarino passes to Hegerberg into the centre of the box. She has time to take a shot, but instead passes it to Le Sommer who is running in. She shoots and it deflects off Eriksson to find the back of the Chelsea net. Is that a third own goal in as many games for Eriksson?!
Then drama on the other end - Lyon's Bronze takes a touch in her own box, which bounces up and knocks her arm. Big appeals for a penalty from the Chelsea players but the referee shakes her head. Huge decision.
Chelsea win a free kick afterwards instead, which Carney takes; a good delivery but it's cleared by Cascarino. Chelsea chasing.
14 mins: Chelsea 0 - 0 Lyon
Chelsea lucky Mjelde is able to close down and clear a Lyon breakaway attack.
It forces a corner, which Marozsan curls in for Lyon, but Chelsea's Bright clears it. Chelsea avoiding dangerous moments so far.
10 mins: Chelsea 0 - 0 Lyon
This game is fast-paced. Chelsea is trying to slow it down, holding and giving themselves more time on the ball but Lyon are pressing, trying to keep it fast.
6 mins: Chelsea 0 - 0 Lyon
Lyon's Cascarino wins the ball from Andersson, and crosses to force a corner, which Chelsea clear.
Lyon get the ball back though and Majri wins a free kick on the right, just outside the box with some theatrics after Chelsea's Carny cut her off.
The free kick is taken, crossed in to Henry who heads it over the bar.
3 mins: Chelsea 0 - 0 Lyon
Lyon have started aggressively, no chances yet but they're putting pressure on Chelsea already.
KO: Chelsea 0 - 0 Lyon
We're about to get underway.
Awaiting Chelsea or Lyon in the final...
The mighty Barca who beat Bayern 1-0 in their second leg to win 2-0 on aggregate.
Into the final!!!!!!! A la finaaaaaaaaal!!!!!! ����
Hem fet història!!!!! �������� pic.twitter.com/fKhCVv23Jq— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) April 28, 2019
And here's the Lyon side
Lyon: Bouhaddi, Bronze, Renard, Mbock, Bacha, Cascarino, Marozsan, Henry, Majri, Le Sommer, Hegerberg.
La composition de notre équipe pour affronter Chelsea : Bouhaddi, Bronze, Renard, Mbock, Bacha, Cascarino, Marozsan, Henry, Majri, Le Sommer, Hegerberg. ����#CFCOLpic.twitter.com/1srx812xYw
— OL Féminin (@OLfeminin) April 28, 2019
Chelsea team news is in
Team news is in at Kingsmeadow! ��#CFCOLpic.twitter.com/Me4BZdzHWZ
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) April 28, 2019
Tough task awaits Chelsea
Welcome to the liveblog of the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. Chelsea are bidding to make the first final in their history, Lyon attempting to defend their crown and make it an unprecedented four titles in a row.
Chelsea trail 2-1 after last week’s first leg, but Erin Cuthbert’s away goal crucially keeps the English side in with a chance. Lyon will be brimming with confidence, however, after clinching a 13th successive French league title on Wednesday.
The undisputed dominant force in women’s football, Lyon have not lost a competitive game since May of last year. But Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said that the first leg showed the team are “human”, with Lyon defender Lucy Bronze admitting it was her side’s worst performance this season.
The away goal offers a glimmer of hope and, should they progress, Chelsea will have completed an upset of epic proportions. They need another stellar performance from Ji and attacking stalwart Fran Kirby and hopefully no own goals from Magdalena Eriksson. The Swedish defender has scored into her own net in the last two games - the first of which came in the 92nd minute of Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final contest which sent Manchester City through to the final.
Can Chelsea overcome the might of Lyon? Stay tuned for build up and live coverage.
