Chelsea Beats Lyon and Reaches WCL Semi-Finals
Chelsea Women’s team has made it to the Women’s Champions League semi-finals after knocking out the current champions, Lyon, on penalties. After a controversial penalty was awarded in the 128th minute, Maren Mjelde scored to level the tie and sent the game to a shootout.
Ann-Katrin Berger made the decisive save from Lindsey Horan’s penalty to send Chelsea through. Now they will face Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Highlights of the Match
Chelsea survived some early scares from Lyon but eventually won the game thanks to Vanessa Gilles’ goal in match time and Sara Dabritz’s goal in extra time, which helped them overturn the one-goal deficit from the first leg.
After Vicki Becho fouled Lauren James in the penalty area, the referee Ivana Martincic awarded a penalty, which led to a shootout. However, the decision left eight-time winners Lyon feeling disappointed with the officials as they believed it was a crucial call.
James, however, told Chelsea boss Emma Hayes the officials had called it right, and Chelsea survived the shootout to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Injuries Among Chelsea
Chelsea’s victory was all the more impressive given the injuries that forced them into every substitution during the game.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said: “Our depth wasn’t big tonight. Players have had to come into the game and play multiple roles. For Maren (Mjelde) to do what she did, the last kick of the game, to have to place the ball three times, she’s a Chelsea legend. She deserves her night as much as Ann-Katrin (Berger) does because we know what she’s like from penalties. I knew if we got to that situation momentum would turn. Drama! I’m relieved and exhausted.”
The victory was especially significant because Chelsea has never won a penalty shootout as a team before. Hayes said: “I was forced into every substitution tonight, they were injuries in every case. I had to be so conscious even in extra time that were the penalty takers on the pitch. I felt I didn’t see a goal in us, to be honest. When I see Lyon’s subs coming on, world-class talent one after another, we managed the best we could given the circumstances. It was the most character-building performance even if it was the ugliest.”
What’s Next for Chelsea
Chelsea’s triumph means they will now face Barcelona in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Wolfsburg has set up a semi-final against Arsenal. After a 2-1 win over Glasgow City, Wolfsburg won 3-0 on aggregate.
The German team has a great record in the competition, winning it twice and finishing runners-up three times. The other semi-final is between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. The games will be played in April, and the final is scheduled for May 22 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
For Chelsea, their victory over Lyon represents a significant milestone in their history, and they will be hoping to build on this success as they aim for a place in the final.
Their game against Barcelona promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams possessing some of the best players in the world.
If you want to learn about the other tournament semi-finalists, you should check out Arsenal’s qualification to the semi-finals.
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