What went wrong for Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League final?

Chelsea v Barcelona – UEFA Women’s Champions League – Final – Gamla Ullevi
(Image credit: Adam Ihse)

Chelsea’s bid to win the Women’s Champions League for the first time in the club’s history ended in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona in Sunday’s final.

Emma Hayes’ side looked to be on course to make history, and were the first English side to reach the final since Arsenal won the competition back in 2007.

However, Barcelona outclassed the Blues in almost every area of the pitch as they claimed their own maiden Champions League title.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what went wrong for Chelsea.

What went wrong for the Blues?

Barcelona struck four times in 36 minutes to end Chelsea's title hopesampions League – Final – Gamla Ullevi

Barcelona struck four times in 36 minutes to end Chelsea’s title hopes (Adam Ihse/PA)

Chelsea had their dreams of a first Women’s Champions League title come crashing down in a crushing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona. The Catalan side struck four times inside the opening 36 minutes to put the game far beyond hopes of a Chelsea recovery.

Why were Chelsea unable to compete?

Pernille Harder was the only Chelsea player to have played in a previous final

Pernille Harder was the only Chelsea player to have played in a previous final (Adam Ihse/PA)

Chelsea’s inexperience was one of the deciding factors in the match, the side had never reached the final before and were unable to recover after conceding so early. Only one of Chelsea’s line-up, Pernille Harder, had played in a Champions League final.

Was it a surprise?

With the benefit of hindsight, some issues had been evident in the first leg of the semi-final, a 2-1 away defeat to Bayern Munich, before Chelsea rallied and came back at Kingsmeadow to win 5-3 on aggregate. Bayern Munich had come out of the blocks quickly, taking an early 12th-minute lead and despite securing a crucial away-goal Emma Hayes’ side did not look the dominant force they have been domestically.

What’s next for Chelsea?

Chelsea were visited by owner Roman Abramovich in their dressing room after the defeat and the players vowed to the owner they would return to the final. Hayes admitted her side were naive, despite having already won the Women’s Super League and League Cup this year.

Why was it so easy for Barcelona?

Barcelona used their experience of defeat in 2019 to come out on top

Barcelona used their experience of defeat in 2019 to come out on top (Adam Ihse/PA)

Two years ago Barcelona were subject to a heavy defeat to Lyon in the Champions League final, the French club scored twice in the opening 14 minutes, comfortably outplayed the Catalans and won 4-1. That experience proved valuable, eight of those who were in the starting XI in 2019 were included in the squad in Gothenberg.

How good were Barcelona?

Barcelona have made the semi-finals of the Champions League in four out of the last five seasons, including the current one. This season they finished top of the Primera Division, unbeaten in 26 league matches, scoring 128 goals while conceding just five.

Read more
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Keira Walsh of Chelsea in action during The Adobe Women's FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea and Everton at Kingsmeadow on February 09, 2025 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The Chelsea signing that could propel them to Champions League glory
Barcelona Femeni's Alexia Putellas reacts during defeat to Madrid CFF in Spain's Liga F in May 2023.
Alexia Putellas: "We’re already the only club to have won the men’s and women’s Champions League, so the only thing even more historic to do than that would be to win it in the same season"
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
Chelsea Women, WSL
Who has won the Barclays Women's Super League? Every winner so far
Lauren James of Chelsea is fouled by Kim Little of Arsenal, leading to Chelsea being awarded a penalty during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 26, 2025 in London, England.
Explained: The controversial Arsenal penalty that saw player punished for comments - and why VAR couldn't help
Vivianne Miedema of Manchester City is challenged by Kim Little of Arsenal during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2024 in London, England.
The story of the 2024/25 WSL season so far
Latest in
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report