Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League on Saturday after being beaten 2-1 on aggregate by holders Barcelona.
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Chelsea knocked out of Champions LeagueHayes heartbroken after semi-final lossSet to leave Chelsea at end of seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
Hayes's hoping of winning the Women's Champions League with Chelsea in her final season at the club were ended at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. A strike by Aitana Bonmati and a penalty from Fridolina Rolfo secured Barcelona a 2-1 aggregate win to send the holders through to a fourth consecutive Champions League final, leaving Hayes in tears after the final whistle.
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Chelsea had won the first leg in Barcelona 1-0, handing the Catalans a first home defeat in more than five years. The win gave the Blues the edge ahead of the return but they saw their advantage quickly wiped out by Bonmati's first-half goal. The controversial sending off of Kadeisha Buchanan then gave Chelsea a mountain to climb before Rolfo sealed victory from the penalty spot.
WHAT HAYES SAID
The Chelsea boss was not happy with the referee's performance and made her feelings crystal clear after the game. She told reporters: "I was surprised when she was selected as she’s known for easy yellow cards. I thought that was the worst decision in Uefa Champions League history. I’m gutted for the [players]. We were robbed."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR HAYES
Hayes must try to pick her players up quickly as they remain in contention to win the Women's Super League and currently sit three points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand. The Chelsea boss will still be hoping she can end the season with a trophy before leaving the Blues to take up a new role with the USWNT.