Chelsea will have to come from behind to reach the women's Champions League final after a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in their semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.
A rematch from the 2021 final, where Chelsea lost 4-0, was settled by an early strike from Caroline Graham Hansen with Barca deserving winners.
The Blues had a nightmare start when Hansen drove inside from the right and unleashed a shot that flew past Ann-Katrin Berger after just four minutes. Chelsea thought they had levelled when Guro Reiten did have the ball in the net, but Sam Kerr was narrowly offside in the build-up.
The hosts also went close through Guro Reiten, but her effort was cleared off the line by Lucy Bronze, who later went off injured. Barcelona were the better side for much of the second half, but struggled to convert a number of good openings.
Hansen nearly gave Chelsea an even greater deficit to overcome in the 90th minute but Berger made a superb stop at her near post to keep out a fizzing drive. The result means Chelsea will need to win in the Camp Nou next week to reach a second European Cup final.
Here are the main talking points from the Bridge.
Gap on Barcelona still clear to see
In the last meeting between these two teams, in the 2021 final, Chelsea were completely outclassed from the first minute. They were 1-0 down inside 33 seconds and four behind after just over half an hour of play.
And once again Barcelona made a flying start, with the game only three minutes old when Caroline Graham Hansen produced her moment of magic. Brazilian forward Geyse and Hansen also forced smart saves from the German, as the Blaugrana dominated the early proceedings.
At that point it looked like it would be a long day for Chelsea, but the WSL holders did eventually get a foothold in the game, making it a close contest.
The gap has definitely narrowed since that Gothenburg final, but today's tie showed there is still a big difference between these two. Chelsea have five days to shrink it further.
Sam Kerr unable to perform another rescue mission
Chelsea spent large periods of the game going long to Sam Kerr. But with James on the bench and the rest of those in blue focused on defending the Aussie forward cut an isolated figure.
Kerr has dug Chelsea out in so many big games this season, most notably away to Arsenal and at home to Man Utd in the WSL. But this proved one step too far.
Her clever run did at least give Reiten a tap-in but the Aussie was marginally offside in in the build-up. As one of the world's best forwards Kerr will always provide a threat.
But if she is going to trouble the Spanish champions in the Camp Nou next week, she'll need her Chelsea teammates to help her out in the final third and provide some support.
Yet more injury woes for England as Bronze limps off
Only a day after the terrible news that Leah Williamson has ruptured her ACL and will miss the Lionesses World Cup campaign, there was more bad news for England fans.
If Sarina Wiegman didn't have a defensive crisis before, she certainly does now. Lucy Bronze worryingly went down clutching her knee midway through the second half right in front of both dugouts.
Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez took no chances and withdrew her immediately as she received treatment. Bronze looked in agony as we limped off the pitch, but did at least reappear on the bench a few minutes later.
Everyone associated with England and Barcelona will hope it isn't anything to throw her season into doubt. But for Wiegman it is another huge injury worry to one of England's best players.
Lauren James shows Hayes how crucial she could be to second leg
England star Lauren James wasn't trusted to start against the 2021 European Champions. But after a tough opening 45 minutes for the Blues, Hayes summoned her to replace Jelena Cankovic.
The England forward gave Chelsea a much greater physical presence throughout the second half, after Sam Kerr had spent much of her time fighting a lone battle before the break. In a game where defensive discipline was always going to be key to Chelsea, you can't blame Hayes for leaving her out of the starting XI.
But on the rare occasions Chelsea did threaten in the second half it was usually through James. Barcelona retained possession with ease in the latter stages, but whenever Chelsea did win it back they always looked to James.
One of her trademark power runs was only halted by a cynical foul from England teammate Keira Walsh, who picked up a booking for her troubles. Hayes may need to bite the bullet and give James a full 90 minutes in the decisive second meeting.
Record Stamford Bridge crowd highlights progress
26,697 was the attendance inside Stamford Bridge in another landmark gate for Chelsea. On a day where plenty of other football could be found around the capital throughout the afternoon, the fact so many wanted to see this tie spoke volumes of the quality of both teams.
The atmosphere was lively throughout, with Chelsea fans desperate to try and make home advantage count, exactly what Emma Hayes had called for in her programme notes. Even at 1-0 down the home support was loud and proud, while the Barcelona travelling section of fans also made themselves heard.
It felt like a proper European occasion and we should see an even bigger crowd in the Camp Nou next Thursday for the return leg.
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