Aitana Bonmati blasts Chelsea for 'playing dirty' after Blues stun Barcelona in Champions League semi-final

Chelsea pulled off a sensational result in Spain as an Erin Cuthbert goal gave them a 1-0 win over reigning Champions League holders Barcelona away from home. Prior to Saturday, no team had beaten Barcelona away for five years.

In the second half, Barcelona were awarded a penalty for an apparent handball from Kadeisha Buchanan; Barca were preparing to take the kick, but the decision was overturned by VAR after a lengthy delay. Bonmati was left confused by the fact the penalty was not given, and also claimed that Emma Hayes' side employed "dirty" tactics.

Per Mundo Deportivo, Bonmati said: "I have not understood why a penalty was called and why Mariona was preparing and then they began to review it. In the end this has to be done the other way around. It is clear that there was a prior offside by Salma, I have not seen the play and I can't say anything. If the VAR has marked this, we can't do anything.

"I am not in favor of playing with these interruptions, but we knew it. We had talked about Chelsea playing like this, which for me is playing dirty. We have warned the referee, but it is not up to us if they allow it. We have to know how to play with it."

Chelsea and Barcelona will renew hostilities next weekend in the second leg. It remains to be seen if the Blues can hold their nerve and pull off an astonishing upset.