Holders Barca beat Chelsea to reach Champions League final

LONDON : Holders Barcelona battled into the final of the women's Champions League, overturning a first-leg 1-0 deficit to beat 10-woman Chelsea 2-0 in the second leg at a sold-out Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Catalan side, who have won the title twice in the last three years, went ahead in the 26th minute when Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati found space on the edge of the box and sidestepped Niamh Charles. Her shot took a deflection off Kadeisha Buchanan into the net.

Chelsea reacted straight away with chances for Lauren James and Catarina Macario. Sjoeke Nuksen also hit the post in the 57th minute for Chelsea.

But moments later, in heavy rain, Buchanan was sent off after being shown a second yellow for a rash challenge on Salma Paralluelo.

Fridolina Rolfo sank home hopes when she put Barca ahead 2-1 on aggregate from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after Bonmati was fouled by Ashley Lawrence.

Barca will meet either Olympique Lyonnais or Paris St Germain, who play their semi-final on Sunday, in the final in Bilbao on May 25.