Sonia Bompastor has been appointed as Chelsea Women's new head coach, replacing Emma Hayes at Stamford Bridge.

Hayes oversaw a fifth straight Women's Super League title for the Blues this season but departed to take up a role with the United States Women's national side.

Bompastor was expected to come in as the replacement for Hayes, with the announcement confirmed on Wednesday as Chelsea managed to strike a compensation deal with Lyon Women.

The 43-year-old, who has signed a four-year deal with Chelsea, leaves the French side after a successful three years in charge, winning three league tiles and the Women's Champions League in 2022.

"The sporting directors and I conducted a thorough and considered recruitment process to identify Emma’s successor," Chelsea's general manager Paul Green said of the appointment.

"Sonia's vision, coaching philosophy and winning mentality made her the outstanding candidate.

"She is a world-class coach with a proven track record of success on the biggest stages that will instantly command respect from the dressing room."

Bompastor won seven trophies during her time with French heavyweights Lyon but lost the Champions League final last Saturday against Barcelona.

She was capped 156 times by the French national team before retiring in 2013, and subsequently becoming the first woman to win the Champions League as a player and coach after her success with Lyon.

Assistants Camille Abily and Theo Rivrin will join Bompastor as Chelsea prepare for a new era without Hayes, who departs the Blues after a 12-year spell that yielded 14 major domestic titles. 

Aitana Bonmati secured the Women's Champions League Player of the Season for a second straight campaign after guiding Barcelona to European glory.

The Spain international scored in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Lyon in the final, helping Jonatan Giraldez's side clinch an unprecedented quadruple.

Fellow Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas produced the other goal in that victory, but Bonmati was named Player of the Match after another eye-catching performance.

With six goals and six assists, the 26-year-old managed more goal contributions than any other player in this season's Champions League, and that earned Bonmati further individual recognition.

"She influenced the game all over the pitch in and out of possession. High progressive passes, high ball recoveries and scored a great goal," UEFA's technical observer panel said in a statement.

Bonmati also scored eight goals in Barcelona's victorious Liga F campaign this season, helping the Spanish giants win the competition for a fifth consecutive time.

Having already won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA's best women's player award for 2023, this UEFA award caps a fine season for the impressive Bonmati.

Danielle van de Donk acknowledged Lyon were deserved losers in the Women's Champions League final against Barcelona as the French side capitulated in Bilbao.

Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas were both on target in the second half, as Barca beat Lyon for the first time and won the Champions League for a third season out of the last four.

Ada Hegerberg, the all-time leading scorer in the Women's Champions League, headed over from Lyon's best chance as the eight-time European champions offered little apart from that.

A disappointed Van de Donk offered an honest appraisal after the 2-0 defeat, telling DAZN: "I'm very emotional. Nobody likes to lose a final and we were here to win it.

"It's a shame we didn't create enough. Barcelona deserved the win but I'm proud of my team, we gave it our all."

Van de Donk and Lindsey Horan found space tough to come by against an impressive Barca, with the Lyon midfielder admitting there could have been a change to the game plan.

"I play more as a 10 and Lindsey a bit more as a six," she added. "We were a bit low in the midfield so couldn't get the press right and that is usually our strength.

"Credit to Barcelona, they did amazing. I wish we could have pressed them a bit more, I think that could have made a difference."

Bonmati played a key role in helping Barcelona become the first team to win three domestic trophies and the European crown in a single season, since the rebranding of the Women's Champions League.

Jonatan Giraldez's side have scored 129 goals in Liga F this season, winning 27 of their 28 games and drawing the other, conceding just nine times.

To further their celebrations, Barcelona also finally ended their struggles against Lyon.

"It's the first time we've beaten Lyon, I'm proud of the team, and we know that with these fans we have, we can't fail," Bonmati told DAZN.

"It's incredible what we're living through as a team, I'm so lucky... to see we're creating that for so many people and the historic amount of fans we've brought.

"It's the proudest I've felt, I wouldn't change it for anything."

Barcelona coach Jonatan Giraldez celebrated "one of the happiest days" of his life after his side claimed the Women's Champions League title.

Giraldez led Barca to a 2-0 victory over fellow heavyweights Lyon in Bilbao on Saturday.

Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas got the goals in the second half, as Barca beat Lyon for the first time and won the Champions League for a third season out of the last four.

Giraldez will now leave Barca to take charge of Washington Spirit in the NWSL, but was able to leave on the highest note possible, having won a quadruple this term, becoming the first European team since Arsenal in 2007 to manage such a haul in a single campaign.

He told DAZN: "It was an incredible game, I am really happy, one of the best days of my life for sure.

"We did an amazing job with the ball, without the ball. we suffered in the last minutes, but I'm very proud of all of them."

Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze, whose future with the club is uncertain, told DAZN: "We knew that that's what we needed, to be a club to make history.

"It's not easy, it's hard to win it once. To win it back to back, Lyon showed how difficult it is and this team has finally done that. We go down in history as one of the best teams in Europe."

Barca's two Ballon d'Or winners scored their goals, with Bonmati breaking the deadlock just after the hour before Putellas lashed home in stoppage time.

"She's the captain of the team, she's the Queen of Barcelona for a reason," Bronze said of Putellas.

"She's always so confident in the team and showed today why she is a back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner.

"She's got the quality to do that in the last minute of the Champions League final when we were up against it at the end and just sealed the win for us. It was amazing."

Barcelona sealed a quadruple as they clinched their third Women's Champions League title by beating fellow European heavyweights Lyon 2-0.

Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, both Ballon d'Or winners, with Barca's heroes in Bilbao on Saturday.

Bonmati opened the scoring in the 63rd minute and, after surviving an onslaught of Lyon pressure, Barca made sure of a famous victory in stoppage time – Putellas lashing home with her left foot after a sweeping counter-attack.

It marks Barca's first-ever win over Lyon, as they became the first team since Arsenal in 2007 to win four trophies in a single season.

Lyon and Barca went into Saturday's final in Bilbao having scored 70 goals between them in this season's Champions League.

Yet it was a cagey first half, with Barca's Caroline Graham Hansen looking the most likely to spark the match into life.

That changed just after the hour when Bonmati, last year's Ballon d'Or winner, saw a close-range cross-shot divert in off the unfortunate Vanessa Gilles, after a slick move had put the Spain international through down the left-hand side of the area.

Lyon, the eight-time European champions, could have found themselves 2-0 down soon after, but Selma Bacha made a vital challenge to deny Graham Hansen what would have been a deserved goal.

The French giants aimed to make their defender's good work count, with substitute Ada Hegerberg entering the fray.

Hegerberg, the all-time leading scorer in the Women's Champions League headed over from her best chance, as Barca's defenders – and goalkeeper Catalina Coll, who took a nasty hit to the head – fought stoically to clear their lines.

And Lyon's hopes were extinguished as another fine Barca move saw the ball worked back to Putellas in the area, and she unleashed an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net.

Quadruple queens

For the first time in 17 years, and the first time since the rebranding of the Women's Champions League, a team has won three domestic trophies and the European crown.

This Barca side, coached by Jonatan Giraldez, are a special bunch. 

They have scored 129 goals in Liga F this season, winning 27 of their 28 games and drawing the other, conceding just nine times, and now they have a third Champions League title in the space of four years.

Bonmati and Putellas, their Ballon d'Or-winning duo, served up the key moments, but the whole team delivered a stellar performance to finally end their hoodoo against Lyon.

Bompastor bows out?

Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor is expected to join Chelsea ahead of next season, as the Blues' replacement for the departing Emma Hayes.

The 43-year-old has had an incredible tenure at Lyon, winning the Division 1 Feminine on three occasions and the Champions League in 2021-22.

Despite falling short at the final hurdle this time, she will leave a club legend.

The stage is set in Bilbao for a battle of two European Giants.

Barcelona are striving to make history and win the quadruple, a feat only achieved by Arsenal in 2007 when they won a domestic treble and the UEFA Women’s Cup; this would match Arsenal's achievements, and Barca would be the first team to win such a treble since the rebranding to the Women's Champions League.

Lyon, however, cannot be ruled out. They are 11-time finalists and eight-time champions, making them the most successful team of all time in the competition.

They are serial winners and seem to be able to find a way even when they are not deemed to be the favourites.

This will be the third time Barcelona and Lyon have faced each other in the final of the Champions League; the second-most meetings in the final of the competition, after Lyon v Wolfsburg (four).

The French side won the previous two by an aggregate score of 7-2 (4-1 in 2019 and 3-1 in 2022). Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor, who is seemingly set to join Chelsea, will be looking to replicate the 2022 final in Turin, a 3-1 victory which meant she became the first woman to win the competition as a player and head coach. 

Victory on Saturday would be the parting gift to her beloved Lyon as she aims to cement their European dynasty.  

Barcelona’s march to the top

Barca will play in a fourth consecutive final in the Champions League, and their fifth within the last six seasons.

The Azulgranas have appeared in five finals in the competition, with only Lyonnais (11), Eintracht Frankfurt (six) and Wolfsburg (six) featuring in more.

Only Lyon (five between 2016 and 2020) have had a longer run of appearing in consecutive Champions League finals than Barcelona’s current run (this year being their fourth).

Barcelona have shone once again in the tournament and Jonatan Giraldez is confident of his side's potential to make history. 

He told reporters: "We cannot wait for the final. We've had a fantastic season, playing great football, and the recent weeks have seen us on a great dynamic, with almost everyone available.

"We already have three trophies won, so to have the chance to add another Champions League in this fantastic stadium means we can try to show we are still the best team in Europe."

World Cup winner Salma Paralluelo is the second-highest scorer in the competition, with six goals. She has outperformed her xG of 4.6.

Paralluelo has had the most shots of any player in the competition (35), joint-top with team-mate Caroline Graham Hansen, who has netted five times in the competition.

The Norwegian has been in excellent form this year and really made her team tick. Hansen has the highest expected assists (xA) total in the competition, at 4.5. She has provided five assists, level with club-mate and Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati.  

Tussle of the titans

Lyon have been clinical in this year’s tournament, leading the scoring charts. They have netted 36 times in 10 games, an average of 3.6 goals per game, from an xG of 34.

They also lead the way in total attempts with 252, ahead of Barcelona, who recorded 226.  

Barca are the second-highest scorers, with their tally of 34 goals being 14 clear of next-best Chelsea (20). They have registered 27.6 xG.

The Catalan giants have also been more accurate this season and boast the better shot conversion rate – 15.25 to Lyon’s 14.06. 

This match-up will feature four of the five most creative players in the tournament. Lyon’s Selma Bacha leads the way with 32 chances created. Barca trio Graham Hansen, Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey have created 29, 24 and 20 opportunities respectively.

Favourably, the sides were on opposite sides of the draw in this year’s competition and seemed destined to meet in another battle of the titans.

Barca have conceded just eight goals, the joint-best figure in the competition along with Chelsea, but their expected goals against (xGA) of 5.4 suggests they have been unfortunate to concede so many.

Lyon have conceded 10 times, from 7.24 xGA. These numbers are that of champions and emphasise the quality that will be on display in Bilbao.  

The best there has ever been

Lyon have only failed to win two of their previous 10 Champions League finals – on penalties against Turbine Postdam in 2010 and 0-1 against Wolfsburg in 2013. Barcelona, meanwhile, have lost two of their previous four, with both defeats coming against OL in 2019 and 2022.

Lyon’s Kadidiatou Diani is the leading scorer in the Champions League this season, with eight goals in 10 appearances.  

Those strikes have come from 4.5 xG, displaying Diani’s clinical nature in front of goal – she has essentially netted double the amount of goals she would have been anticipated to based on the quality of chances to fall her way.  

Lyon star Ada Hegerberg has just returned from injury and will bolster the confidence of the French side. The former Ballon d'Or winner has scored five goals from 33 shots. 

Hegerberg could become the first player to score in five Champions League finals, having netted in four already for Lyon. She currently shares the record for most finals scored in along with Alexandra Popp.

One player that will be crucial for Lyon is captain Wendie Renard. She has been involved in 10 of Lyon’s previous final appearances in the competition, winning eight times. 

Three current Lyon players have previously found the net for the club against Barca in the Champions League. Hegerberg has done so five times, Marozsan twice, and Eugenie Le Sommer once. Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas have scored for Barca against Lyon.

Bompastor understands the history of this tie and told reporters: "This Barca is different from the one we faced in the final two years ago. They have made new signings and each final brings with it a different story. It will be a totally different game tomorrow.

"We are a team that has won a lot in the past. But we remain really ambitious. For me, we are the best team in the world and will continue to be no matter what happens tomorrow. I trust my players; I know there is all the individual and collective talent needed to achieve this goal."

The Opta supercomputer rates Barcelona as huge favourites going into the tie, giving them a 67.8 per cent chance of winning in the pre-match simulations.

However, it may be much closer than that in reality. Only time will tell which records will be set on Saturday under the lights in Bilbao. 

Lyon are through to their 11th Women's Champions League final after sealing a 5-3 aggregate victory over compatriots Paris Saint-Germain.

The record eight-time winners scored three times in the final 10 minutes of last week's first leg to take a narrow 3-2 lead into the return fixture at Parc des Princes.

However, they were quicker out of the blocks in the second leg, with just three minutes on the clock when Selma Bacha drilled home from range for her first Champions League strike in five-and-a-half years.

Tabitha Chawinga responded before the break to reduce PSG's aggregate deficit to a single goal, but Melchie Dumornay put the tie beyond doubt nine minutes from time, as Sonia Bompastor's side set up a final showdown with Barcelona on May 25.

Data debrief

Lyon continued their dominance over PSG in Champions League semi-final encounters, having now progressed from each of their last four such ties.

The eight-time champions lost their first two semi-finals they contested in this competition, but have now won each of the last 10, and will seek a record-extending ninth title in Bilbao next month.

Herve Renard's arrival as France coach has made Les Bleues think they are "the best in the world" and fostered belief in their chances of winning the Women's World Cup, says Selma Bacha.

Renard, who oversaw Saudi Arabia's incredible win over eventual champions Argentina at the men's World Cup last year, took the reins in March following the dismissal of Corinne Diacre.

The French Football Federation removed Diacre from the role after a group of players – including captain Wendie Renard – refused to represent the team if she remained in charge.

With France gearing up to face Jamaica in their Group F opener in Sydney on July 23, Lyon star Bacha has been impressed by Renard's impact, telling Stats Perform: "He put us in a good mood. 

"He made us realise that we were the best in the world, that we had great, great potential and that he was coming in with a game plan.

"Everyone understands this game plan, so when everyone understands, we're all in the same boat. 

"Frankly, I'm ready to die for this coach, this staff, and I hope that my soldiers – in other words, my team-mates – are ready."

France suffered a semi-final exit against Germany at least year's European Championships in England, but Bacha is confident they can improve on that showing in Australia and New Zealand.

Asked if she believed France could win the tournament, Bacha said: "Frankly, yes, I do. Once again, it's all very well to talk, but now we have to act. 

"It's all very well to say, 'we believe in it', but now we have to act. Right now, the group is top notch, we're living well and we know that we want this title that France so desperately needs."

Having represented France since 2021, Bacha is relishing the prospect of making her first World Cup appearance later this month.

"It's a dream, a childhood dream," she said. "I never thought I'd experience this kind of moment. I'd been to the Euros, but a World Cup is still a World Cup.

"I'm very proud because I know I've worked hard to get here and I still have room for improvement, as the coach says. But in any case, it's a dream come true.

"I'm really happy because I never thought things would progress so quickly, and then, I'm someone who listens a lot. When someone comes to give me advice, I listen carefully. I'm very proud of that. 

"I know that I still have room for improvement and I have very high goals, but I know I'll get there. For the moment, I'm very happy with the start of my career."

Chelsea sealed a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Lyon to reach the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League, having rescued the tie through Maren Mjelde's last-gasp spot-kick in extra-time.

Despite winning last week's first leg 1-0, Chelsea appeared destined for an exit when Sara Dabritz drilled into the bottom-right corner in extra time after Venessa Gilles' flick had levelled the tie.

However, a trip on Lauren James gave Mjelde the chance to keep the game alive at the last, and the Norwegian made no mistake eight minutes into stoppage time, taking the contest to a shoot-out.

James and Wendie Renard both saw their kicks saved before Jess Carter converted, meaning Lyon's Lindsey Horan had to score to keep the holders in the competition.

Chelsea's Ann-Katrin Berger got down to her right to palm Horan's weak kick away, ensuring the Blues teed up an enticing semi-final tie against Barcelona – who beat Emma Hayes' team 4-0 in the 2021 final.

Earlier on Thursday, two-time champions Wolfsburg clinched a 1-1 draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain, recording a 2-1 aggregate success to set up a semi-final tie with Arsenal.

Having taken a first-leg lead through Dominique Janssen's penalty in the French capital last week, Wolfsburg found themselves with a two-goal cushion when Alexandra Popp fired home from outside the area 20 minutes in.

That strike came somewhat against the run of play after Kadidiatou Diani had an effort chalked off for offside, but there was no denying the forward when she nodded in on the half-hour mark.

Wolfsburg improved after the break and missed several chances to make the tie safe, but it was of little consequence as PSG failed to find a crucial second goal.

Guro Reiten secured Chelsea the advantage in their quarter-final against defending champions Lyon in the Women's Champions League.

The Norwegian curled home after 28 minutes in France to hand the Blues a 1-0 lead ahead of the reverse fixture in London.

Lyon were guilty of missing a number of opportunities in the first half, although Lauren James could have added a second for Chelsea when she hit the post.

Delphine Cascarino similarly struck the woodwork for Lyon after half-time, with the eight-time champions now needing a turnaround in the second leg if their title defence is to continue.

France captain Wendie Renard will sit out the 2023 Women's World Cup unless there is a regime change, she revealed in a bombshell announcement on Friday.

In a statement posted on social media, Renard said she loved France "more than anything" but blamed "the current system" for her decision and said she wanted to protect her mental health.

The 32-year-old has 142 international caps and is one of the best-known women's footballers in the world game.

Renard was stripped of the captaincy by head coach Corinne Diacre in 2017, before regaining it four years later, with French outlet RMC Sport reporting her decision on Friday relates to concerns about Diacre, who remains in charge of the team.

Renard wrote: "I defended the blue, white and red jersey 142 times with passion, respect, commitment and professionalism. I love France more than anything, I'm not perfect, far from it, but I can no longer endorse the current system, far from the requirements required by the highest level.

"It's a sad but necessary day to preserve my mental health. It is with a heavy heart that I come by this message to inform you of my decision to take a step back from the French team.

"Unfortunately, I will not play this World Cup in such conditions. My face can hide the pain, but my heart hurts... and I don't want to hurt any more."

Renard has won 15 Division 1 Feminine titles with her club Lyon, as well as nine Coupe de France trophies and eight Women's Champions League titles.

The Women's World Cup takes place between July 20 and August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

England and Barcelona star Lucy Bronze sent a message of support to Renard, her former Lyon team-mate, posting on Instagram: "With you my sister always."

French tennis legend Yannick Noah added his support, writing: "Courage to you Wendie."

Two of the favourites for the Women's Champions League will face each other in the quarter-finals as holders Lyon were drawn against Chelsea.

The 2021-22 runners-up Barcelona will take on Roma in the last eight, while Paris Saint-Germain play Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich come up against Arsenal.

The first legs are scheduled for March 21 and 22, with the return fixtures a week later.

The semi-final draw was also made on Friday, with the winners of PSG and Wolfsburg set to face the winners of Bayern and Arsenal, while the winners of Lyon and Chelsea will go up against the winners of Barca and Roma.

Eindhoven will host the final on June 3.

Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir has won her claim against Lyon after she was not paid her full salary during her pregnancy.

Gunnarsdottir, who captained Iceland at the Women's Euro in 2022, became pregnant in 2021 and gave birth in November of that year.

However, she was paid only two months of her full salary by Lyon.

In an article for The Players' Tribune, Gunnarsdottir said Vincent Ponsot, the club's director, did not reply to her representatives until a formal complaint was made after she was not paid for two months.

Lyon agreed to reimburse Gunnarsdottir for those missed months but refused to pay her any further wages, citing French law. 

When the matter was taken to FIFPRO, the global union for professional footballers, Gunnarsdottir claimed she was told she would have no future at Lyon if it escalated further.

On Tuesday, FIFPRO confirmed Gunnarsdottir, who now plays for Juventus, had won her case against her former club.

Lyon must pay Gunnarsdottir €82,094.82, as well as five per cent interest per annum as from 10 September, 2021, until the full payment is made.

"FIFPRO congratulates Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir on her successful claim against Olympique Lyonnais over the club's failure to pay her full salary during pregnancy," a FIFPRO statement read.

"We are pleased to have assisted her in achieving the first ruling of its kind since FIFA's maternity regulations came into force in January 2021.

"It is extremely important for women footballers and the women's game that these mandatory maternity regulations are both implemented and enforced at national level."

Frida Maanum scored a hat-trick as Arsenal stormed through to the Women's Champions League quarter-finals as Group C winners with a resounding 9-1 rout of Zurich.

Jonas Eidevall's side were already assured of a place in the knockout stages, but ran riot nevertheless at Wefox Arena to ensure they would be seeded in the last eight.

Along with Maanum's treble, Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius both scored a brace, while further strikes from Kim Little and Mana Iwabuchi completed the scoring.

"We scored some really good goals, and I'm happy to have got my hat-trick," Maanum told UEFA.com. "It's easier when you're surrounded by really good players. This is a nice early Christmas present, for sure!"

Arsenal were joined in the quarter-finals by Lyon, who are through to the last eight for the 14th time in 16 seasons after snatching second place in Group C with a goalless draw against Juventus.

Elsewhere, Barcelona ensured they advanced to the knockout stages as Group D winners following a thumping 6-0 victory over Rosengard.

Though already guaranteed progression beyond the group phase, Barca were in no forgiving mood as Asisat Oshoala scored twice with Mapi Leon, Fridolina Rolfo, Marta Torrejon and Irene Paredes also on target.

That took their goal tally to 29 - the highest in any Women's Champions League group stage - and meant Bayern Munich had to settle for second place despite Klara Buhl's double in a 2-0 win over Benfica.

Arsenal secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League despite a 1-0 defeat to Lyon on Thursday, in a game overshadowed by Vivianne Miedema suffering a potentially serious knee injury.

Gunners defender Frida Maanum put through her own net on the stroke of half-time to hand the reigning champions victory at the Emirates Stadium, leaving both sides on 10 points in Group C.

Jonas Eidevall's team knew they would qualify with anything less than a four-goal loss after establishing a head-to-head advantage by hammering Lyon 5-1 away from home in October.

However, the sight of a distressed Miedema leaving the field on a stretcher after appearing to catch her studs in the turf will provide cause for concern.

Miedema – the Champions League's top goalscorer in the 2016-17 and 2019-20 campaigns – has hit the net twice in the competition this season.

In Group C's other fixture, a four-goal haul from Cristiana Girelli helped Juventus profit from Irina Pando's red card in a 5-0 win over Zurich, teeing up a winner-take-all meeting with Lyon next week.

Meanwhile, Barcelona and Bayern Munich both ensured qualification from Group D, with the Spanish champions doing so in emphatic fashion with a 6-2 rout of Benfica.

Bayern joined them in racking up the goals with a 4-0 win at Rosengard, as Georgia Stanway joined Tainara, Sydney Lohmann and Julia Landenberger on the scoresheet.