Bonmati shines as Barcelona ousts Chelsea in Women’s Champions League semis

LONDON (AP) — Aitana Bonmati scored and won the penalty for the second goal to help Barcelona beat 10-woman Chelsea 2-0 in the semifinal second leg of the Women’s Champions League and 2-1 on aggregate on Saturday.

Barcelona became the first team since Frankfurt and Potsdam in 2005 to advance after losing the semifinal first leg at home. Chelsea won 1-0 in Spain a week ago.

“We learned from our mistakes and we had to prepare better than the last week for this game,” Bonmati told broadcaster DAZN. “I can be skilful or I can have talent, but I think the best part of me is my mental toughness and my ambition.”

Defending champion Barcelona has reached the final for the fifth time in the last six seasons, missing out only in 2020.

The Spanish club will face a French club in the final on May 25. Paris Saint-Germain hosts Lyon in the second leg of the other semifinal on Sunday. Lyon won the first leg 3-2.

Chelsea was let down by its finishing and poor discipline.

In the rain, Stamford Bridge was sold out for the first time for a women’s game. In front of a noisy crowd of 39,398 spectators, Chelsea looked to shut out Barcelona with a compact shape and an aggressive press like in the first leg.

Barcelona initially struggled but grew into the game as winger Caroline Graham Hansen tested Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton with a low shot in the 22nd minute.

Bonmati, the world's best player, leveled the tie in the 25th by rounding Niamh Charles to fire in a low strike that took a deflection off Kadeisha Buchanan.

Striker Catarina Macario led Chelsea’s response with a dipping half-volley that goalkeeper Catalina Coll palmed away in the 36th.

The hosts had a golden chance to equalize before halftime. Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nusken intercepted an underhit back pass from Irene Paredes and squared the ball back for Lauren James, who couldn’t make contact.

Chelsea was wasteful again in the 57th when James picked out Nusken, whose sliding effort hit the post.

Things became worse for Chelsea when Buchanan received a second yellow card in the 59th for stamping on Patri Guijarro's foot. The defender was also booked in the 54th for a poor tackle on Salma Paralluelo.

“Even Barcelona players said to us they knew the referee was helpful for them. I didn't think it was a foul, let alone a yellow card,” Chelsea coach Emma Hayes said, complaining about referee Iuliana Demetrescu. “I was surprised when I saw her selected. She's famous for easy cards, and I think that is probably the worst decision in UEFA Women’s Champions League history. (…) We were robbed.”

Ashley Lawrence tripped Bonmati and Barcelona winger Fridolina Rolfo converted the penalty in the 75th to send Barcelona to the final.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert, center, reacts after the Women's Champions League, semi final second leg, soccer match between FC Chelsea and FC Barcelona in London, England, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Barcelona's Fridolina Rolfo, fourth left, and her teammates celebrate after the Women's Champions League, semi final second leg, soccer match between FC Chelsea and FC Barcelona in London, England, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Barcelona's Ona Batlle, right, and Chelsea's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, left, challenge for the ball during the Women's Champions League, semi final second leg, soccer match between FC Chelsea and FC Barcelona in London, England, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Kieran Cleeves/PA via AP)

Barcelona's Fridolina Rolfo celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the Women's Champions League, semi final second leg, soccer match between FC Chelsea and FC Barcelona in London, England, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Chelsea's Melanie Leupolz, left, and Barcelona's Aitana, right, challenge for the ball during the Women's Champions League, semi final second leg, soccer match between FC Chelsea and FC Barcelona in London, England, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

SEATTLE (AP) — Dylan Moore hit a two-run homer and had a career-high five RBIs to help the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 8-1 on Friday night.

While the Mariners rebounded to open a brief homestand after losing three of four in Minnesota, the immediate concern was around starting pitcher Bryan Woo after he left with one out in the fifth inning.

Making his first start of the season after being slowed by elbow soreness during spring training, Woo was lifted for precautionary reasons due to tightness in his right arm. Woo allowed just one hit through the first four innings only to leave the game after getting Tyler Soderstrom to foul out behind third base to open the fifth.

Woo struck out three and walked one, and threw 62 pitches. The tightness developed following a long stint on the bench as the Mariners scored five times in the fourth inning of Oakland starter Paul Blackburn.

Manager Scott Servais said they expect Woo to make his next start and he was thrilled with what he saw from the young righty before leaving.

“He was awesome," Servais said. "Thought he threw the ball really well. When he came out there for the fifth inning, it was a long inning — we put the runs up before that — and it was just tight. It wasn't loose and there is no point in pushing it right now.”

Trent Thornton (1-1), Kirby Snead and Cody Bolton kept the shutout going until the ninth when Lawrence Butler's two-out RBI single off Austin Voth plated Oakland's only run.

After cruising through the first three innings, Blackburn (3-2) ran into trouble immediately in the fourth walking Mitch Haniger and Cal Raleigh.

Luke Raley barely missed a three-run homer and settled for an RBI double off the top of the wall. Ty France lined a two-run double and Moore hit his third homer of the season just inside the foul pole in left.

Moore followed an inning later with a two-out, two-run single to give the Mariners a 7-0 lead. He added an RBI single to score Raley in the seventh. Moore has been playing nearly every day with J.P. Crawford currently on the injured list with an oblique strain and said the consistent at-bats are leading to results at the plate.

“It's just easier to be on time with the fastball. That's pretty much number one, which is kind of like the basis of hitting, you could say. Try to be on time for the fastest pitch they throw,” Moore said. “Playing every day makes it easier when you're seeing heaters every day.”

Seattle has won 13 of the past 14 games against the A’s dating to the start of last season.

Blackburn was tagged for all seven runs and was roughed up for a second time in three starts after giving up six earned runs over four innings to Baltimore on April 28. In his other five starts this season, Blackburn has allowed eight earned runs in 38 innings pitched.

“Thought he might be able to pitch around it. Gave some balls up to Raleigh and France which hurt him, and Moore seems kind of kryptonite for us,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. "Every time he is in the lineup, it seems like we have trouble getting him out.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: IF Zack Gelof (oblique) will be in the lineup for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday as he begins a rehab assignment. Gelof has been out since late April.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Joey Estes is expected to be recalled from Las Vegas to make his first start of the season. Estes made two starts last September, including one against Seattle when he allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Mariners: RHP Bryce Miller (3-2, 2.61) has pitched at least six innings of five of seven starts this season and has yet to allow more than four earned runs.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger, second from left, runs into Oakland Athletics pitcher Paul Blackburn, right, as he crosses home plate on a double by Luke Raley during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, right, scores on a double by teammate Ty France as Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, left, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Oakland Athletics outfielder Seth Brown (15) watches as a home run ball hit by Seattle Mariners' Dylan Moore bounces back on the field during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Mariners' Dylan Moore, right, hits a home run as Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, left, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Mariners' Dylan Moore celebrates in the dugout after his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)