Chelsea will face Barcelona in the Women's Champions League semi-finals for a third straight season after a rampant first half against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge earned a narrow 3-2 aggregate success.
Match Report
Holders Barca had breezed past Wolfsburg earlier on Thursday, but Chelsea had rather more work to do in the finale of their four-game series against City.
While the Blues had won two of the sides' three previous meetings, their sole defeat in the first leg of this quarter-final tie meant City were in a strong position heading into the return fixture.
Yet that did not last long as Chelsea quickly took control in a decisive 3-0 victory.
Sandy Baltimore thundered in a 14th-minute opener after Lucy Bronze had hit the post, before the scorer turned provider for Nathalie Bjorn's header from a corner.
There was time for Chelsea to get the vital third before half-time, too, as Lauren James pounced on a loose pass and teed up Mayra Ramirez to bundle in.
Now with something to lose, Chelsea were not quite so confident after the restart, although Erin Cuthbert's strike against the crossbar was the closest either team came to adding to the scoring.
City created precious little and will rue the damage Chelsea have done to their season, beating them in the League Cup final, Women's Super League and now the Champions League in the past fortnight.
Data debrief: Blues bounce back before big Barca test
The first leg saw Chelsea beaten by a fellow British side for the first time in the Women's Champions League, but normal service resumed back at the Bridge.
And perhaps there was a positive omen in being made to work for this two-legged victory, too. This was only the second time Chelsea had advanced from a knockout tie in this competition after losing the first leg, with the other example coming en route to their only final appearance to date in 2020-21.
Of course, their subsequent opponents in the final were Barcelona, who blew Chelsea away as they have done so routinely in recent seasons. The Blues will have to beat the best to be the best in Europe.
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: L. Bronze, M. Bright, E. Cuthbert, N. Björn, K. Walsh, S. Baltimore, M. Ramírez, J. Rytting-Kaneryd, H. Hampton, Lauren James, Wieke Kaptein
Subs: Becky Spencer, A. Lawrence, O. Jean-François, S. Nüsken, C. Macário, Niamh Charles, Aggie Beever-Jones, Maika Hamano, Katie Cox, Lola Brown
Manchester City XI: Leila Ouahabi, V. Miedema, J. Roord, Y. Hasegawa, M. Fowler, Laia Aleixandri, K. Casparij, Kerolin, Khiara Keating, Gracie Prior, Lily Murphy
Subs: L. Wienroither, L. Coombs, Jessica Park, Naomi Layzell, Katie Startup
chelseaboi1905
85
We had the tie turned around and done by halftime, 2nd half was just controlled the game and take the chance if you get it, which we almost did get a few more, but that first half was absolutely relentless, we didn't give them a sniff of anything, that's how we're going to have to play against barca in the next round, we can do it, we have the coach, we have the team and we have the desire!! let's goooo Chelsea!! 💪💪💙💙⚽️⚽️
Peyadlst
78
The coach said Chelsea would be all over Man City, and she did. Congratulations 👏 👏 to us.
Pehcdlmnrt
58
The wisdom from this great ladies is incredible. Now is time to revenge against Barca who eliminated us last season
ceocikouz
29
man City keeper Keaton was exceptional, if not it would have been up to 6:0. But then Chelsea men team should go & bring that lady called RAMIREZ to the men team
DrHalaMsdrid
8
Barcelona women are a though nut 🥜 to crack That aintana bonmati girl is really the fenale iniesta but CHELSEA can rock their boat on a good night #Let’s believe