Barça's Back To Back Triumphs | The Story Of The 2023-24 UEFA Women's Champions League Season

The Women's Champions League is back. For 16 teams, the journey begins in earnest once again. Colossal names from the European scene coming head to head. On the biggest stage of all. So here we go then, sit back and enjoy. The Women's Champions League is back. All roads lead to Bilbao in May. Will Barcelona be there again? Graham Hansen and Aitana Bonmati to pick a spot. Scored by the world's best player. Azizat Osoala. Oh, take a bow. Barcelona, the reigning European champions, off and running. Welcome to the Eden Arena. The Women's Champions League is back. As Slavia Praha hosts eight-time Champions League winners Lyon. It's cut back and it's in. Hela Hagerberg, her 60th goal in the Champions League. The all-time record goalscorer. Perfection in Prague from Lyon tonight. They blew Slavia Prague away. Paris FC, arguably the story of the Champions League qualifiers, having eliminated two former winners of this competition to reach the group stage. Fantastic finish. So well taken that by Kapaj. The ball to Sandberg. It's a second. Another really well-worked move by Hekken. Hekken start as they mean to go on. They've sprung something of a surprise. Well, tonight Ajax play host to two-time beaten finalist Paris Saint-Germain. We are in the iconic Johan Cruyff Arena. And Ajax have taken the lead. Their first goal in the group stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League. Converted. It was never in doubt. A famous night in the Netherlands. Ajax secure their first ever victory in the group stage. Both of these sides made it to the quarterfinals of this competition last season. Bayern eventually losing over two legs to Arsenal. Roma beaten by the eventual champions, Barcelona. Oh, this takes a deflection on its way in. Bayern 2, Roma 0. And Roma do have their equaliser, have been shared here. 165 days since Barcelona lifted their second title. Do Real Madrid or Chelsea get near them this season? And challenge for the ultimate prize in women's club football. Lawrence. Stunwell, Lawrence's cross. And Chelsea have levelled. Charles again. She can hang it up. Sanker strikes for Chelsea. Goes for Fleming. Puts it away. Hayes. You should be wondering how on earth the team have probably not won this. Charles thought she had. Benfica supporters have come expecting three points. Can Rosengård put paid to that? There's a chance here. Nazari with the shot. It's a goal for Benfica. And it's the prolific Kika Nazari with the strike. Benfica are off and running in this year's UEFA Women's Champions League. History being made in Bergen tonight as Norway hosts a UEFA Women's Champions League group game for the very first time. They come again. That's a lovely through ball. Chipped towards the far post and there is the opening goal. They have taken the lead. And it is the Australian Laurisa Krummer. It is two wins from two matches for Bran. And it's a huge 90 minutes that's about to unfold in front of us here. If the visiting side can triumph, a four-point gap may prove to be insurmountable. It's towards the back post but it's kept alive. And it's nodded into the back of the net. Oh, that's the ball firmly and PSG is caught now. An enormous three points collected into the back pockets of the Bavarians. It's match day two of the UEFA Women's Champions League in Real Madrid. They are in town. Las Blancas are in Gothenburg to take on Beko Hekken. Farsi! Rosa Kefarsi. Remember the name. It's Katarina Kosola. Going for the left foot and shot as she's found the top corner to put Beko Hekken in Dreamland. History for Beko Hekken. Their first win at home in the Champions League grid stage. And look who it's against. And tonight, the first meeting between these two sides. Coming into this in very good form, currently top of Serie A. Ajax also a team on the up. They won the Dutch League last season. And then the volley by Valentina Djecinti. Roma very much dominant this evening up against Ajax. And this will put Roma to the top of Group C. On four points, having played two games. These are the nights to be part of football's greatest competition. Paris FC have already knocked out last season's beaten finalist Wolfsburg. And they will be dangerous opposition tonight for Chelsea. Chelsea will come again here with Lauren James. Nice bit of skill. And a lovely cross too! That's a superb goal! He's found space. It's taken on superbly by Hrithikan Reeds. And in it goes! Sam Kerr with another. Sam Kerr on a hat-trick. Gets it spectacularly! Well, Chelsea have their first win on the group stage. Sam Kerr, outstanding. A hat-trick for the Chelsea centre-forwards. Rossengård yet to pick up a point. Barcelona having won both of their games so far. And it is a game that went according to the scripts. Barcelona dominating to make it a third successive victory in Group A. A win for Lyon would put them on the brink of the knockout stages with three games to spare. And Lyon once again in this group stage campaign hit the front early on. That is the clinicalness that Sonia Bompastor wants to see from her side. Can Lyon get the job done? On a night that Benfica will never forget. A giant crowd to witness the debut of UEFA Women's Champions League football to be played in Portugal's largest football venue. Great chance! Goal! A history-making goal from Alidjou. It is a night that belongs to Benfica. Two wonderful, colossal names on the European scene. A European football history coming head-to-head here in Bavaria. Quick ball in towards Dauman. That's the save. Schürrle is there. Inside 90 seconds. Bayern off and running. Oh, they scored out of absolutely nothing. It is a giant of a point for Ajax on the road. And they have stunned Bayern here at the campus. Big night in Group D. It won't be decided this evening. But neither side can afford defeat. Now there's a chance and an early opportunity for the home side. And it is Julie Defoe on target for Paris FC. And it's fallen kindly. And it's 2-0. And it's the captain, Getani Tine, who doubles Paris FC's advantage. Paris FC secure a famous victory. They have beaten Real Madrid. Paris Saint-Germain know that they need a big victory. In the toughest of groups. It's starting to get pressured. Now is that the penalty? Yes, it is. Grace Guiano from the penalty spot. Sends a goalkeeper the wrong way. Great ball. Super finish from Katoto. And they double their lead. Well, after two defeats from two, Paris Saint-Germain needed something tonight. And they responded with a really dogged performance. In a terribly tight group where any slip-ups could be so costly. That's a five-pass for Chawinka. Can she get there? Yes, she can. Katoto! No! That is just what she does. 3-0. And that's the best goal of the night. It is Parisian joy in the Eternal City tonight. A meeting of the Dutch and German champions for us tonight in Amsterdam. While it's proving to be a competitive and unpredictable group scene. Rame looked in behind here. And will go for goal. And will find it. The Dutch champions with another famous victory in Amsterdam. Judgement day for Real Madrid. Though in truth it's a position neither side imagined they'd be in at the halfway point of the group stage journey. Down she goes. Penalty! They're keeping themselves alive in the battle for the last day of the Champions League. Victory for Paris SA. But Real Madrid eliminates it from the Champions League. A very good evening to you. Matchday 4 in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Chelsea take the lead. It's taken a third on the score sheet. Cuthbert with the effort. Low drive to restore Chelsea's lead. Chelsea go top of Group D with a 3-1 win over VK Hekens. SK Braun taking on Olympique Lyonnais. Ball's cut back. And the shot comes in. Oh, it's a goal! And Lyon are two up here in Bergen. The shot comes in. A decent shot. Strike one. I'm sure that is. Wow. Lindsay Horan has been shown a straight red card. The chance for Braun to equalise. It's played in. There's a ball down in the penalty area. Oh, it hits the crossbar once again. But it breaks a goal! And Braun have equalised right to the death. Astonishing game here at the San Marino. Barcelona know what they need to do. A win this evening. And they are through to the quarter-finals with two matches to spare. And the defending champions open the scoring. Lovely backheel. We're playing Graeme Hansen. Wonderful play between Aitaia Bombati and Caroline Graeme Hansen. Two goals in quick succession from her. And the defending champions Barcelona have booked their place in this season's quarter-finals with a dominant display. Both sides hanging on in Group C. It is a tight group. Only three points separating top from bottom. That's a rather loose ball. They've played themselves into all sorts of trouble. And they have been punished. Valentina Giacinti gives Roma the lead. The game exploding into life in stoppage time. It is a point that might not help either side. Champions League is something that PSG would love to get their hands on. This young Ajax side are certainly one to watch. One for the future. Lifts it in. It's a great ball. It's a super goal! A chance to make it two. A chance taken brilliantly by a brilliant striker. Oh yes, it eventually got smuggled home. Paris Saint-Germain are in the box seats in Group C. Chelsea will be confirmed as group winners if they win tonight. An enticing prize for Chelsea then. She's a scorer of big goals for Chelsea. Guru Raiten finds the finish in the bottom corner. Chelsea lead across the face of goal. Chelsea winners on the night. And they've topped the group. And they're into the next round of the Champions League. Well, it is a straight shootout between these two sides for a place in the last eight. Battle for second place. Warp set. Warp set going all the way. Oh, and it's crept in. An error from the keeper. And Bran take the lead. History is made. Bran, through to the last eight for the very first time in their history. Olympic Lyonnais win at St Carlton. They will have table-topping Group B rights secured. Olympic Lyonnais waltzing their way into the quarterfinals in style. Job done with time to spare. And Barcelona will march on into the quarterfinals of the Champions League. That much we know for certain. Hansen again. And it's another. Alidou in the centre. And another. Marie Alidou with a Champions League brace. This is lovely. Jessica Silva. She's done it again. Three all. De La Font's come for it. Oh, it's gone in. Goal. Benvidi and Seixal. Hetsko up front was there. Oh, she's found it. Did you dare write Barcelona off? Well, who was expecting that? Ninety minutes packed full of drama, suspense and excitement. Eko Hekken's Champions League destiny is in their own hands. Real Madrid have only pride left to play for. Stick that over. Lovely. And Kovacic on their date with destiny. It's Beko Hekken's rock diamond who scored. And Hekken are Champions League quarterfinalists. And Sweden will join the party this year. An epic night of Group C away for Women's Champions League action awaits. In Group C, the C stands for chaos. Lilliana's free kick. It is a good one. And it's gone in. Elisa Bartoli. Biggest dot here. And the header's bounced in. And it's back in Bayern's hands. As things stand, Bayern Munich would go through. And Roma would not. Here's Lily Yohannes. It's a four and four if they work this one quickly. Yohannes has options left and right. Goes left. And an equaliser for Ajax. Keen to start an attack. Even though she's on her own here. There's hesitation. And a chance for the equaliser. And it's in! A massive goal. Chawinga scores it. And Bayern, the architects, further downfall here. And won't go through with a drop. There's a header. And it's in! Angelou swings Bayern's way again. Bayern back in pole position. Loaded in. And it's gone in! The goal that might well send Ajax to the UEFA Women's Champions League quarterfinals. Baltimore takes in. And it's bounced in! Unbelievable. Now Bayern face elimination. This season, Ajax are in to the UEFA Women's Champions League quarterfinals. PSG are through. An unbelievable finale in Munich. Well, this is it. The quarterfinals of the Champions League. Eight of Europe's finest names head-to-head. This is where the competition really comes to life. Ajax came through their group behind Paris Saint-Germain. Beating them here along the way. And also qualifying ahead of Bayern. Chelsea along with Lyon and Barcelona going through their group campaign without defeat. Ajax struggling to clear. Will it fall for James? And Lauren James will put it in. But the flag goes up. Yeah, clearly Lauren James is onside. Goal. Chelsea in front. Wrighton gets there though. Right across it goes! Xherkan Nuskar on the slide. Tutu Eymann in the centre. And there is a Chelsea third. And Chelsea with a very handsome lead to take it to the second leg now. The Portuguese champions host this competition's most successful club. Lyon, eight-time winners. And they're keen to regain a crown lost to Barcelona last season. Benfica, undoubtedly the underdogs here. That's a bit loose. They're in real trouble here. Barilla is clean through and scores. What about this for Benfica? Carpenter's ball over. They've equalised. Cascarino. Dumont is in the box. Gebritz is there as well. And they've turned this all around here, Lyon. We're moments away from kick-off here. It's Xherkan versus Paris Saint-Germain. And the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League quarterfinal on the zone. Khashoggi to take to the far post, headed down. Oh, it might be touched in. Paris Saint-Germain will take the lead. Khafaji waits behind this penalty. Referee blows the whistle. Oh, and it's saved. Khafaji makes sure it goes in at the second attempt. Cross comes down. Could be Chuinga. And it gives PSG a goal to put them back ahead. And PSG will take a 2-1 lead back home. Never before had Bran even reached the last 16 of the Women's Champions League before this season. Now they walk out in their first ever Women's Champions League quarterfinal. Can they pull off what would be one of the greatest upsets of all time against the reigning European champions, Barcelona? Graham Hansen will receive it back. And it's in. Barcelona with that early breakthrough. As Barcelona look to score again. Paraiolo on the turn and they do score. Barcelona back in front, 2-1. Barcelona who finish the first leg on top. Chelsea with a three-goal advantage after proper European away day showing in Amsterdam eight nights ago. Here's Ramirez. She's in. She scores for Chelsea. A first European goal for Maira Ramirez. That's it. Chelsea through. Semi-final bound. Lyon seek to press home the advantage they won in Lisbon just over a week ago. Benfica aim to turn this tie around. Just enough on that. It's unselfish from Lisbon. And it's in. And they're in behind. And Aledo! Cascarino. Cascarino goes alone. Stunning goal. And the knockdown was good. There's no doubt now. Lyon heading through safely now to the semi-finals. There is only one goal separating the two sides ahead of the start of the second leg of this UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final. Katoto forward to Chuinga. Chuinga's strike! And she scores! Albert. Low shot from her! And she scores! A left-footed strike from the American. Katoto's header! 3-0 PSG. It's going to be an all-French semi-final. More winning is what Barcelona do. It's virtually all they have done in this dynastic era. Aitana! And the world's best player does it again. Oh, it's a horrible one to conceive for Brent. It's still Graham Hansen. Aitana! And in by Patrick Ihara. And the holders will be pushing on into the final four. And only Chelsea now stand in the way of a fifth final in six years. Strap yourselves in, everyone. The start of what should be semi-finals brimming with drama, tension and the rest. Back for Erin Cuthbert. It's Cuthbert! Sensational Chelsea goal! The winner swings it in. Back across he goes! Alexey Butaev! That's it. It's a Chelsea masterclass. For the fourth time in the Women's Champions League semi-finals, it's Lyon and PSG. Katoto! Ripped into a two-goal lead in Lyon. Diane on the turn! Sensational evening of Champions League football in Lyon. Chelsea against Barcelona. In a semi-final second leg, which is said to be captivating. ...most. Barcelona level it through Aitana Bomatini. Barcelona have a penalty. And Rolfa rolls it in. Made it look effortless. It's Barcelona again in the Champions League final. As Emma Hayes' dream of becoming a European champion with Chelsea ends. The last three semi-final meetings have gone Lyon's way. And once again, a place in the Champions League final is on the line. With Basia completely on board. What a start for Lyon! Chewbacca! Nice! Beshoor cross. Demorney! A superb Champions League semi-final goes the way of the favourites. A titanic match awaits us. The stage is set in from this very spot right here. The 2024 UEFA Women's Champions League final will kick off between the two very best teams in Europe. Holders FC Barcelona will take on Lyon, the very team that blew them away to win two years ago. As both teams will be looking to get their hands on the very trophy that most everyone wants. So forget Cannes, Bilbao is the only place to be for this summer's biggest blockbuster. Two of the greatest names in European football. On the biggest stage of all. Aitana Bonmati scored by the world's best player. The Champions League's top scorer does what she does best. Two teams packed full of stars. What should be extraordinary viewing. This is off the scale. There is a score to settle between Barcelona and Lyon. A titanic match awaits us. It will be superb. Here come the teams. What a noise. What an occasion. So here we go then. What a final we have ahead of us. Rana is up. She is one of the most dangerous defenders in set pieces. We are looking to tease away Bion Rana and Graham Hudson. She is just unstoppable. And just a target here. It's kept alive here. And Wendy Rana. Goodness me. Aitana Bonmati. And she goes. A deflected run. Cue the chaos. The world's best. Listen to this. As the Arpad is handed to one of the greatest stars in the rest of the game. It's Alexia. She scores. It's Barcelona's time now. It's Alexia's time now. Now back to back. Champions of Europe. Barcelona.