Chelsea beats Barcelona 1
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Erin Cuthbert fired Chelsea to a 1-0 win over Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semifinal first-leg match on Saturday, handing the defending champions their first home loss in five years.
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas missed a glorious chance to equalize when she shot wide right from close range on the last play of the game at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium to send Emma Hayes’ team back to Stamford Bridge with the advantage.
The visitors stifled Barcelona’s attack, taking away the time and space that the Catalan club normally enjoys in its domestic league.
The high pressure led to Chelsea’s goal in the 40th minute when forward Mayra Ramirez forced a turnover, setting up Sjoeke Nüsken’s pass to Cuthbert, who beat a defender and fired the ball into the top right corner to stun the crowd of 36,428.