Chelsea vs Barcelona LIVE: Women’s Champions League semi-final result and reaction after Bonmati and Rolfo goals

Emma Hayes stared into the distance and puffed out her cheeks as the full-time whistle went and the dream came crashing down. There will be no Women’s Champions League title in Hayes’s final season, no Bilbao final to provide the ultimate send-off after 12 years in charge. For the third time in four years, it is Barcelona who are responsible, but perhaps it is this defeat that will hurt the most. Chelsea were thrashed in the 2021 final, they weren’t competitive in last season’s semi-final. But here, as Barcelona continue their Champions League defence and now go for back-to-back European crowns, Chelsea will know they have never been so close to their first.

In front of a record 40,000 at Stamford Bridge, the big moments went against Chelsea and turned a historic occasion Barcelona’s way. Chelsea will regret missed chances when the tie was in the balance and will be left to fume over the decisions that went against them. The sending-off of Kadeisha Buchanan for the softest of second yellow cards reduced Chelsea to 10 players and left Hayes’s side with over half an hour to hang on. Fridolina Rolfo’s penalty 20 minutes from time gave Barcelona the lead for the first time and left Chelsea with it all to do. The presence of VAR did not save Chelsea, or intervene when Aitana Bonmati went down under the slightest push in the box from Jess Carter.

Emma Hayes said her Chelsea team were on the wrong end of the “worst decision in Women’s Champions League history” as Barcelona advanced to the final following a controversial tie at Stamford Bridge.

Hayes believed Chelsea were “robbed” after the referee Iuliana Demetrescu sent off defender Kadeisha Buchanan for a second yellow card early in the second half, with the semi-final tie in the balance on aggregate following Chelsea’s narrow victory in Spain last week.

Barcelona were then awarded a late penalty when Aitana Bonmati was brought down by a combination of Jess Carter and Ashley Lawrence - a decision Hayes said was “equally soft” - and Fridolina Rolfo converted to send Barcelona through to the Bilbao final and a shot at a third title in four years.

Emma Hayes will not have the fairytale ending then, she blows kisses to the fans at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea fans, who sold out the Bridge tonight, chant “Emma, Emma” before she disappears down the tunnel.

This will be a bitter pill to swallow for Hayes, who has endured a tough few weeks. But, there’s still work to be done in the WSL.

“You can only focus on the game,” Jonatan Giraldez tells DAZN.

“The special moments we have, but when you train every day, it’s easier to get that performance.

“You manage your emotions. After losing, it’s a specific moment to make a change to your mind and the direction.

“It’s not only about winning, the mentality of the players, it’s special.”

Lianne Sanderson insists Chelsea were unlucky with several decisions, telling DAZN: "It's not a yellow card in any walk of life, ultimately Chelsea were on the back foot, but going down to 10 players.

“I thought the referee was really poor. She was getting in the way at times.

“Those decisions can really change games. It’s nowhere near a second yellow card.

“Make a better decision, but also have some common sense. The first one was a yellow, but the second one, not in any walk of life.

“The more you watch it, the more infuriating it is.”

Bonmati: "We want to keep winning every year, it's not easy but I'm proud of my team.

“It was a bit lucky [my goal], but sometimes you just have to shoot.

“My mind is always to give everything I have to the team, give my best version every year.

“We are a great team.”

90+6 mins: Putellas trying to get the better of Carter, but Chelsea get the ball back again, one final chance.

Emma Hayes with her head in her hands, Chelsea are going to fall desperately short.

90+4 mins: Barcelona should be home and dry, but Hampton with a brilliant save to deny Paralluelo.

Barcelona cut through the Blues beautifully, but Hampton spread herself well and the big left boot cleared the danger.

90+3 mins: Chelsea want a penalty! The ball sails to the back post and bounces viciously up towards the arm of Guijarro, but it hits her back as she turns away.

Check complete.