Alexia Putellas is in Barcelona's squad for the first time all season for their Women's Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea, with Lucy Bronze out following knee surgery.

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas has not played since picking up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in July 2022.

Home fans on Thursday will be hoping her return can help Barcelona complete the job which they started by winning the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last week.

The midfielder had been seen in open training at the Camp Nou before the official announcement, after which she was declared fit to play.

As a result of last year's ACL injury, Putellas was unable to contribute to her country's run in Euro 2021, delayed for a year after the Covid pandemic, which saw Spain lose to England in the quarter-finals.

But her club have not suffered so much without her, 10 points clear at the top of the Primera Division, and cruising in the Champions League so far this season.

One fresh setback, however, for the Catalan club is the absence through injury of England's Lucy Bronze, who was seen hobbling off the pitch in the first Chelsea clash.

England's right-back had keyhole surgery on her knee following the injury, but is expected to be back within a month.

The semi-final second leg is on Thursday night, with the winner facing either Arsenal or Wolfsburg in the final in June.

Jen Beattie hailed Arsenal's "unbelievable character" as they stayed alive in their Women's Champions League semi-final by rallying for a 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg.

An impressive fightback from 2-0 down gave Arsenal plenty of reason to be buoyant about their chances for the May 1 second leg at Emirates Stadium.

With ACL victims Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson absent, the weakened Gunners gave a strong account of themselves after a slow start in Germany.

Ewa Pajor put the hosts ahead and Sveindis Jonsdottir fired Wolfsburg two clear in the 24th minute after a defensive aberration from the Gunners, with a misunderstanding in the penalty area presenting the Icelandic forward with an easy chance in front of goal.

Arsenal snatched a lifeline through Rafaelle Souza's header just before half-time, and Stina Blackstenius tucked in an equaliser from close range in the 69th minute.

Player of the match Beattie told uefa.com: "I think the team showed unbelievable character to come back from a two-goal deficit. We're pleased with the result, but it's very much half-time for us. We're looking forward to going back to the Emirates next week with a blank slate."

Wolfsburg edged the expected goals (xG) totals by 2.32 to 1.40, having 12 shots to seven from Arsenal, but the teams are level-pegging and defender Beattie put that down to the WSL team's resilience.

"We've shown that this whole season – the character, the mentality we all have, and the genuine belief we all have between players," said the 31-year-old Scot.

"We're really happy that we came back from 2-0 down: that's a huge feat, especially against a side as good as Wolfsburg. We had the ultimate respect for them and we still do going into the second leg."

Arsenal are hoping for a sell-out for the second leg, as they bid to move a step nearer to becoming European club champions for a second time, having triumphed in 2007.

Beattie spoke of enjoying "incredible" atmospheres when Arsenal Women have played at the club's main stadium previously, adding: "Even the away fans that travelled today have been unbelievable, especially hearing them towards the end of the game. I've no doubt they'll be unbelievable again for us next week."

Wolfsburg head coach Tommy Stroot sensed a chance missed, regretting the goals his team conceded.

He said: "We knew that it would be a close game, and our 2-0 lead flattered us a bit. We were very clinical at the start. The goals we conceded came from a set-piece and a counter-attack, which we should be able to deal with."

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes remains hopeful her side can turn the tide against Barcelona after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Caroline Graham Hansen's fourth-minute strike settled the encounter at Stamford Bridge, leaving the Blues needing a victory in the return leg on Thursday.

After a shaky start, Chelsea responded by keeping their opponents at bay, a far cry from the last meeting between the two sides in the 2021 final, where Barcelona were four ahead after 36 minutes.

As such, Hayes was encouraged by her side's defensive display and remains hopeful for the return fixture.

"Barcelona are an amazing team. We had a disappointing start. But we grew into the first half, scored a goal that was offside, and we need to be perfect to beat these guys," she said.

"In the second half we needed to be better on the ball in the right moments but I'm grateful to be in a position where the tie wasn't over after 36 minutes. I see that as progress.

"You have to suffer. You have to be without the ball. One switch off and positional error cost us the goal.

"They have different threats. I think we limited them to as few chances as we possibly could and I'll take that going into the next game."

Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze was forced off through injury in the second half, a cause of major concern for England given Friday's announcement captain Leah Williamson would miss the World Cup with an ACL injury.

However, boss Jonatan Giraldez allayed those fears as he said after the game "the feeling is really good" for Bronze and her exit was precautionary.

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.

Arsenal defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 at Emirates Stadium to complete a 2-1 turnaround on aggregate and reach the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League.

Trailing to a Lea Schuller header from last week's first leg, Frida Maanum fired in a sensational 20-yard effort to level up the tie within 20 minutes of Wednesday's return game.

Stina Blackstenius powered in a header six minutes later to give Arsenal the lead in the tie for the first time in front of the 21,307 watching spectators in north London.

Jonas Eidevall's side missed chances to kill off the tie, but they saw out the victory to set up a meeting with the winners of Thursday's tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Wolfsburg.

Barcelona earlier booked their spot in the semi-finals, where either Chelsea or Lyon await, with a commanding 5-1 win over Roma at Camp Nou sealing a 6-1 aggregate victory.

Two-goal Fridolina Rolfo scored either side of Maria Leon's curler to put Barca, who finished runners-up to Lyon last season, out of sight before half-time.

Asisat Oshoala tapped in a fourth a minute after the restart and Patricia Guijarro headed in from a corner to complete the rout.

Competition debutants Roma registered a couple of attempts on target in the remaining 40 minutes, but it was plain sailing for Barca in their quest for a second European crown.

Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall believes the continued growth of the Women's Super League should lead to an English team winning the Women's Champions League soon.

The Gunners won the UEFA Women's Cup in 2006-07, but no English side has lifted the trophy since the inception of the Champions League format in 2009, with Chelsea losing to Barcelona in the final in 2020-21.

Ahead of Arsenal's quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich, with the German outfit leading 1-0 from the first leg, Eidevall expressed his optimism for WSL teams in Europe in future.

"It's natural that the clubs who have invested the most have also been the most successful ones," the Swedish coach said. "If you see how the WSL has grown this year with more games played at bigger stadiums, good attendances, but also great atmospheres.

"We also see the excitement and competition around all three things that matter in the league – competition to win the league, competition to qualify for the Champions League, [and] competition to not be relegated.

"That means that a lot of games here in the spring will have an important sporting outcome, which is great for the entertainment value. Maybe not for managers' hearts and ability to not have grey hair colour, but for everyone else, that's exciting.

"That's building a brand that no other European league has at the moment. That's also going to be reflected then in how you can build and grow the product.

"While I think other European clubs have been successful because they've had owners and the structure to invest, English clubs will be successful because of the product we build together, with the league being the driving force behind that. It's going to create a better future for all English clubs if we are co-operating and building this together.

"I know that's what the players are looking for, they want to come to the most competitive league, the best environment, the best atmosphere.

"We're not there yet, but the first steps have been taken and it's important to keep taking those steps so the future can be for English clubs in Europe also."

According to Eidevall, it is a case of 'if you build it, the trophies will come', and he hopes his Arsenal team are the ones to get over the line in Europe.

"If you build things over here, it's only of matter of time before an English club wins the Champions League," he added. "Both clubs that are in the competition this year have the potential to do it [Arsenal and Chelsea], it doesn't have to be in the distant future. Time will be in the English clubs' favour as long as this progression continues.

"Being the champion of a continent, it is probably the greatest thing you can win in club football in Europe and we very proud in our history to be the only English club that did it. If, in the future, we could repeat that, it would be great.

"I have the belief that we can beat any team on any give day so let's make the most of it tomorrow and maybe we can progress. Then once you reach semi-finals, everyone is capable of winning the trophy."

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.

Salma Paralluelo scored the only goal of the game as Barcelona edged Roma 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League.

The 19-year-old curled a left-footed effort from outside the box to beat Camelia Ceasar after 34 minutes, after the Roma goalkeeper had frustrated the visitors with a number of fine saves.

Last season's runners-up could not extend their advantage in the second half, while Roma failed to convert a number of chances in the latter stages to pull the tie level.

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It's advantage Barcelona after a narrow win in Rome #UWCL

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) March 21, 2023

Elsewhere, Arsenal were frustrated at Allianz Arena by Bayern Munich and suffered a 1-0 loss despite dominating proceedings.

The Gunners saw efforts from Stina Blackstenius and Leah Williamson cleared off the line as they peppered the hosts' goal with 25 shots – though only six were on target.

Lea Schuller's 39th-minute header proved decisive, with Jonas Eidevall's side needing a turnaround in the second leg if they are to reach the semi-finals for the first time in a decade.

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.

Chelsea secured top spot in Group A of the Women's Champions League as Lauren James scored twice in a comprehensive 3-0 win against second-placed Paris Saint-Germain.

Emma Hayes' team knew a draw would suffice as they targeted first place on Thursday, but they ultimately enjoyed a routine outing as James added to Sam Kerr's first-half stunner.

Kerr fired into the top-right corner from 20 yards out to hand Chelsea the lead, before James added two well-taken finishes as the Blues finished their group-stage campaign with an unbeaten record.

In the group's other game, Real Madrid bowed out on a positive note as Teresa Abelleira scored twice in a 5-1 rout of Vllaznia, with Scotland international Caroline Weir also on the scoresheet.

In Group B, meanwhile, two-time champions Wolfsburg clinched top spot by thrashing Austrian side St Polten 8-2 away from home, with eight different players netting for the visitors.

Roma will join Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals after wrapping up their campaign with a 3-0 victory at Slavia Praha, with Valentina Giacinti, Beata Kollmats and Elena Linari scoring as the Italians finished one point behind the German giants.

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.

Chelsea and Roma cruised into the Women's Champions League quarter-finals with dominant victories, but Real Madrid crashed out after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Emma Hayes' Blues sealed their place in the last eight with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Albanian outfit Vllaznia, with goals for Sophie Ingle, Fran Kirby, Katerina Svitkova and Maren Mjelde.

That proved enough to secure top spot in Group A as they qualified for the knockout rounds with a game to spare alongside PSG, at Madrid's expense.

Elisa de Almeida and Kadidiatou Diani struck to help the French side inflict a 2-1 loss upon Las Blancas, with Claudia Zornoza's late effort in vain as they crashed out of Europe.

Elsewhere, doubles for Benedetta Glionna and Manuela Giugliano saw Roma cruise past St Polten in a 5-0 rout after shrugging off an early weather delay.

That also saw the Italian side through to the quarter-finals, though they may have to settle for second in Group B, with Wolfsburg still at the summit despite a goalless draw with Slavia Prague.

England's Euro 2022-winning forward Beth Mead has signed a new contract with Arsenal, the Gunners have confirmed.

Mead was named Player of the Tournament after top scoring with six goals as Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses won the Women's Euros on home soil earlier this year.

Mead is currently sidelined after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in a Women's Super League defeat to Manchester United last month and will spend an "extended period" out of action.

Having put pen to paper on her new deal – the length of which was not disclosed, Mead targeted a successful return in the coming months.

"I'm so happy to have signed a new deal with Arsenal," she told the club's website. "This club is home for me.

"I've grown so much here as a player and a person and I know we can achieve so much more together in the years to come. 

"I want to compete to win the biggest trophies in the game and I know that the ambitions at Arsenal match my own, so I can't wait to get back onto the pitch and help to deliver the success our supporters deserve."

Mead recorded 33 goal involvements (14 goals, 19 assists) in 40 appearances for Arsenal last season and was named England Women's Player of the Year for the campaign.

Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall said: "It's wonderful news that we have agreed a new deal with Beth. She is a world-class footballer and has proven that on the biggest stage of them all. 

"I have so much admiration for the way she has handled success and adversity on and off the pitch over the past few years, and I'm sure she will approach the next few months with the positive attitude we all know Beth for."

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.

Chelsea missed the chance to qualify for the Women's Champions League quarter-finals after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Madrid.

Runners-up to Lyon last year, a fourth successive victory in this season's competition would have seen Emma Hayes' side through Group A with two games to spare.

However, they were forced to settle for a point at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano after Guro Reiten's penalty, which cannoned in off goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez, cancelled out an earlier effort from Caroline Weir.

Paris Saint-Germain leapfrogged Madrid to second place in Group A following a commanding 4-0 victory over Vllaznia, whose elimination was subsequently confirmed.

Kadidiatou Diani scored twice while Ramona Bachmann and Magnaba Folquet were also on target for PSG, who will be through with victory over Madrid when they clash at Parc des Princes next week. 

Elsewhere, two-time champions Wolfsburg are the first side through to this season's quarter-finals after an entertaining 4-2 win over Roma.

Ewa Pajor's brace, which took her group-stage tally to six goals, sandwiched strikes from SveindIs Jonsdottir and Lena Lattwein, ensuring efforts from Andressa Alves Da Silva and Sophie Roman Haug were merely consolations for Roma.

The German side's 11th last-eight appearance in as many continental campaigns was confirmed after St Polten failed to beat Slavia Praha in the other Group B encounter.

The Czech outfit netted their first goal of the campaign through Kristyna Ruzickova, but Mateja Zver's free-kick means they can no longer qualify for the knockout phase.