Chelsea Finalise 3-2 Victory Over Man City to Secure Place in Champions League Semi-Final

Chelsea players celebrating their victory. Photo: The Telegraph

Chelsea 3-0 Manchester City (3-2 Aggregate)

Chelsea advance into the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League after a 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge. Tonight, under the lights, Chelsea conquered their disadvantage following City’s 2-0 win up in Manchester last week.

Both teams accelerated into action when the match kicked off. Chelsea were quickly all over City’s attacks. Their ability to move swiftly provided James with a big chance in the 3rd minute of the game but it fell just wide of the post. 

In the 5th minute of the game, City were able to finally find some space amongst Chelsea’s defensive play. Gasps were heard from the away end as Dutch national Casparij made an attempt at goal that was saved by Hampton. The ferocity continued as top striker Ramirez pressed forward a couple of times and continued to be denied access by City’s back line. 

The deadlock was broken by Baltimore in the 16th minute. A super strike from Bronze rebounded off the post and landed at the boots of Baltimore. In a gripping few moments of action, Keating had no chance of stopping the goal. 

Chelsea did have to resort to playing defensively at points when the visitors managed to get the ball in a promising position in their half. The Blues’ back line were swiftly called into action following an opportunity for Miedema, City’s hero of the hour in the first leg.

However, direction soon shifted, and we saw a well-paced and skilful attack from fan favourite James that was kept out by Keating. 

Walsh was able to work her world-class midfield magic to seamlessly link up with fellow England Lioness James. They opened up opportunity for both Baltimore and Ramirez, but both shots fell short. The hosts knew what they had to do in this match and were putting the visitors’ defence through the wringer. 

In the final 15 minutes of the first half, there was a brief stoppage in play as Keating sought treatment from the medics. Play resumed after a couple of minutes. 

A header from Bjorn was what finally saw City’s lead diminished. A corner kick from Baltimore in the 37th minute was directed by Bjorn into the back of the net. The Bridge echoed with cheers because that semi-final place was then all to play for. 

The action didn’t stop there as Ramirez scored a 3rd goal that tipped them into the lead. The stands erupted again as their top goal scorer fired a ball past Keating’s gloves. 

Two minutes of stoppage time were added to the first half. Despite the scoreline, a slip up from City saw Ramirez back in the box with the ball and space to spare. It easily could have been 4 or 5 goals to the Blues by the end of the first half. 

As the second 45 began, City interim coach Cushing brought on Coombs in place of Murphy. The opening minutes of the second-half also saw City skipper Aleixandri booked for a foul against goal scorer Ramirez. 

The feistiness continued from both sides as Baltimore was next to be shown the yellow card. Kerolin went down on the edge of the box following an encounter with the Chelsea forward and went on to be treated by medics.

Kerolin was escorted off the pitch by medics after tending to what appeared to be an ankle injury. The awarded free kick was then taken by Casparij, but it was no match for James who swiftly batted the ball away. Kerolin then returned to the pitch after a couple of minutes of play. 

Kaneryd charged towards the net but her attempt was declined. The following corner was also rapidly dealt with by the visitors. Bompastor then decided it was time for her first personnel change of the night, switching up her front player. She substituted recent senior Lioness Beever-Jones for Ramirez in the 71st minute. 

Where you might often see teams wind down when 3-0 up in the 79th minute, that’s something you simply won’t see Bompastor’s Chelsea do. Kaneryd made repeated attempts at the City goal and continued to put pressure on the visitors defence. Beever-Jones made a shot to try and get her name on the scoresheet too, but this was dealt with by the crossbar. 

City then made a further change, bringing on Layzell to replace Hasegawa. Despite these midfield changes, the game continued to be dominated by Chelsea’s attack. A further change was made for the Blues. Walsh came off the pitch and was replaced by Jean-Francois in the 90th minute for 4 minutes of stoppage time. 

The final whistle blew, and City’s 2025 Champions League dream was over. Chelsea end their 4 consecutive City fixtures with a 3-0 win, 3-2 on aggregate, and progress to the next stage of the tournament. 

Chelsea

Starting 11: Hampton (GK), Bronze, Bright (C), Bjorn, Baltimore, Walsh, Cuthbert, Kaptein, James, Kaneryd, Ramirez

Goal scorers: Baltimore 16’, Bjorn 37’, Ramirez 43’

Subs used: Beever-Jones 71’, Jean-Francois 90’

Manchester City

Starting 11: Keating (GK), Casparij, Prior, Aleixandri (C), Ouhabi, Hasegawa, Roord, Miedema, Kerolin, Murphy, Fowler

Subs used: Coombs 45’, Park 65’, Layzell 85’