What an evening.
Chelsea booked their place within the semi-finals in probably the most thrilling manner, popping out on prime in a penalty shootout after Maren Mjelde additionally scored from the spot within the eighth minute of added time in additional time.
“I am simply relieved it is over and we’re by means of that,” mentioned Hayes. “It was drama, stuffed with drama. I’m exhausted. Relieved and exhausted.”
These watching at Stamford Bridge had been handled to a spectacular showdown between two of Europe’s heavyweights and Chelsea finally completed a giant-killing.
Lyon, final 12 months’s champions and the report eight-time winners of the competitors, got here to London needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit and virtually did after they led 2-1 on combination with seconds remaining.
However Mjelde confirmed composure to maintain her facet in it after which goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made two beautiful saves in a shootout that Hayes couldn’t stand to look at.
“We have by no means gained a penalty shootout as a workforce so are you able to think about what was happening in my thoughts,” she mentioned of the extra-time interval.
“I needed to be acutely aware that the penalty takers had been [still] on the pitch as I did not see a aim in us to be sincere.
“Once I noticed Lyon’s substitutes coming off the bench – one after one other, all world-class abilities – I felt we handled it effectively. It was probably the most character-building efficiency, even when it was the ugliest.”
‘Cannot consider what I witnessed’
Hayes mentioned Lyon would come for Chelsea after their defeat within the first leg in France however felt “momentum would flip” the extra seemingly a penalty shootout decider turned.
The Blues, already with out injured England defender Millie Brilliant, misplaced Eve Perisset and Melanie Leupolz to accidents throughout the recreation, whereas tiredness additionally began to indicate amongst these left on the pitch.
“Our depth wasn’t massive and gamers needed to are available in and play a number of roles,” mentioned Hayes. “For Maren [Mjelde] to do what she did with the final kick of the sport… she’s a Chelsea legend.”
Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward advised DAZN: “I can not consider what we now have simply witnessed. It was tight the entire manner by means of.
“It was an unimaginable effort from everybody concerned. Chelsea have had their accidents, the gamers had been out on their toes by the top of additional time.
“The momentum ebbed and flowed all through the two-legged tie. A implausible effort from Chelsea.”
Berger’s ‘second’ as historical past created at Stamford Bridge
Mjelde produced the heroics from the penalty spot – scoring each in additional time and within the shootout – however Berger had the ultimate say.
Her two beautiful saves to disclaim Wendie Renard and Lindsey Horan sparked an outpouring of celebration at Stamford Bridge – Berger sliding in the direction of the nook flag in entrance of a standing ovation.
The 32-year-old revealed in August that, after 4 years of being cancer-free, her sickness had returned and he or she was pressured to endure additional remedy, making her achievements on Europe’s largest stage much more exceptional.
“She’s somebody who actually thrives in massive moments and has executed that her total profession,” mentioned Hayes.
“She’s in all probability the perfect penalty-saving goalkeeper I’ve ever labored with so I felt actually assured going into the shootout.
“I felt like this was her second given all the things she’s been by means of.”
Berger added: “The women know that I like penalty shootouts. I really feel no strain. They’ve to attain, not me!”
In the meantime Mjelde, who got here on as a 73rd-minute substitute, mentioned she “had no emotions” when she stepped as much as take the essential penalty within the last seconds of additional time.
“We fought to the top. A loopy recreation to come back again like we did. We by no means quit,” she added.
“There was a delay so [I had to] focus, I had no emotions, simply eliminate all, the sentiments in my physique. Take my time, simply focus.
“It is a second we are going to always remember. We made historical past collectively at residence, at Stamford Bridge, in entrance of our followers. Good, it is what we dreamed of.”
Chelsea, who stay within the Girls’s Tremendous League title race and still have an FA Cup semi-final to come back, know they might want to recreate these particular moments to progress to the Champions League last.
Barcelona – the Spanish giants who beat Chelsea within the 2021 last – stand of their manner within the final 4 as Hayes chases the one trophy that has eluded her in her managerial profession.
