The match began with high intensity, and Barcelona had an early opportunity to set the tone when awarded a penalty in the 12th minute. However, team captain Alexia Putellas was denied from the spot by Chelsea’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who produced a fine save to keep the scores level.
Undeterred by the miss, Barcelona gradually gained control of the match. Ewa Pajor broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, capping off a period of sustained pressure with a well-taken goal. The second half saw the introduction of Claudia Pina, a substitution that proved decisive. Pina struck twice — first in the 70th minute and again in stoppage time — as she revitalized Barcelona’s attack.
Chelsea briefly reignited their hopes when Sandy Baltimore found the back of the net just four minutes after Pina’s first goal, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. But Irene Paredes restored the two-goal cushion in the 82nd minute, heading home from a corner. Pina’s second goal in the 90th minute put the match beyond doubt and gave Barcelona a commanding lead to take into the second leg.
This victory marks Barcelona’s eighth consecutive win in the Women’s Champions League and reinforces their dominance in the competition. It is the third consecutive season the Spanish giants have met Chelsea in the semifinals, and so far, Barcelona has had the upper hand each time.
With a 4-1 advantage heading into the return leg, Barcelona are now firmly in the driver’s seat as they continue their quest to defend their European crown.