March 28 – Chelsea progressed to the last four of the Women’s Champions League after eliminating Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 on aggregate with a dramatic stoppage time goal from Maren Mjelde.
The English resisted a PSG onslaught in the French capital and with the tie set for extra time it was Mjelde who poked home a Karen Carney cross in injury time to complete a 3-2 aggregate win.
Chelsea dominated the game early on, but failed to build on their two-goal advantage from the first leg and the French slowly grew into the game.
Kadidiatou Dani opened the score with the game’s first shot on target in the second half and a calamitous own goal from Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, fumbling a floating ball, had PSG level on aggregate, but it was Mjelde who had the last word, racing clear to prod Carney’s pass home.
“I was a little disappointed with my team in terms of how we managed the game and I had to work hard as a coach to keep us in the game at times,” said Chelsea coach Emma Hayes. “But I have a unifed group and a spirited group that fight their way through adversity and we held on through many difficult moments to stay in the game.”
Chelsea have never reached the final the Women’s Champions League and Olympique Lyon is the last obstacle separating the English champions from the biggest game in club football. The French defeated Wolfsburg 6-3 on aggregate in a replay of last season’s final.
Lyon boast a team packed with international stars, including England’s Lucy Bronze and Izzy Christiansen, and will be firm favorites to beat Chelsea and book another ticket for the final.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713591050labto1713591050ofdlr1713591050owedi1713591050sni@o1713591050fni1713591050