Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero as Chelsea won a dramatic penalty shootout 4-3 to knock out Women’s Champions League holders Lyon and book a semi-final showdown with Barcelona.
The Blues keeper, who revealed at the start of the season that her thyroid cancer had returned, saved two spot-kicks as the hosts came out on top after 90 minutes and extra-time had failed to separate the sides.
With a 1-0 lead to protect from the first leg, the Blues were roared on by a bumper crowd at Stamford Bridge.
But Lyon refused to relinquish their crown without a fight and Vanessa Gilles levelled matters on aggregate when she netted after 77 minutes.
The tie remained deadlocked until Chelsea appeared to be on the verge of being eliminated when sub Sara Dabritz made it 2-0 on the night in the 110th minute.
But deep into stoppage time, Maren Mjelde kept her cool with the atmosphere at fever pitch after Lauren James had been felled to drill home a last-gasp spot-kick to send the quarter-final to penalties.
And Emma Hayes’ side, who were left biting their nails when James missed her spot-kick, had Berger to thank for denying Wendie Renard before stopping Lindsey Horan’s low effort to send the hosts through.
Delighted Mjelde, 33, perfectly summed up a breathtaking night while celebrating with her jubilant team-mates on the pitch at full-time.
She said: “What a game. What a comeback. Amazing fans. This one was for you, Chelsea fans.”
Speaking on DAZN, former Leeds striker Lucy Ward added: “I can’t believe what we’ve just witnessed. It was tight the whole way through.
“It needed somebody to make a mistake and unfortunately for Horan it was her. Stamford Bridge is in absolute raptures.
“It was an incredible effort from everyone involved. Chelsea have had their injuries, the players were out on their feet by the end of extra-time.
“The momentum ebbed and flowed throughout the two-legged tie.
“Horan is inconsolable but her team will come again. A fantastic effort from Chelsea.”
