Playing in its first UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, Chelsea was embarrassed by Barcelona in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Sunday evening, 4-0.
Barcelona had advanced to the 2019 final before getting crushed by four first-half goals from Lyon, but the Blaugrana accomplished the same feat against the Blues to capture the club’s first-ever UCL title on the women’s side.
Both these clubs had dominated their respective domestic leagues, Chelsea winning the FA WSL with only one defeat in 22 games, whereas Barcelona won all 26 of its Primera División fixtures while outscoring opponents 128 to five in the process.
But Chelsea suffered a nightmare start when, just 32 seconds into proceedings, Fran Kirby smashed a clearance off teammate Melanie Leupolz and could only watch in horror as it looped back over Ann-Katrin Berger for the own goal.
BARCA SCORE INSIDE THE FIRST 35 SECONDS OF THE #UWCL FINAL pic.twitter.com/yl0GDMS5Qa
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) May 16, 2021
Barcelona doubled its advantage in the 14th minute with a penalty converted by Alexia Putellas after a foul in the area by Leupolz.
Barca double their lead. We've only played 14 minutes. pic.twitter.com/Fjo5qlApXP
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) May 16, 2021
In the 20th minute, it was time for some beautifully incisive tiki-taka from Barcelona that involved Lieke Martens, Jennifer Hermoso, Putellas and, ultimately, Aitana Bonmatí.
IT'S THREE. BARCA ARE RUNNING RIOT. pic.twitter.com/HJeeaA19vY
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) May 16, 2021
The fourth, arriving in the 36th, saw Martens absolutely obliterate Niamh Charles out wide before providing the easiest of finishes for Caroline Graham Hansen.
Four. ☠️ pic.twitter.com/U59OV19XH0
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) May 16, 2021
Chelsea made attacking changes, shifted higher up the pitch and concentrated on its high-press, but Barcelona still looked the better team in every facet of the game.
In the future, it’d be nice if Paramount+ provided commentators that aren’t just experts on one team. There’s no reason we should be talking about the genius of Emma Hayes, the greatness of Chelsea in the WSL and how the Blues are playing so well in the second half up until the full-time whistle. It’s 4-0; celebrate Barcelona's achievement.
