Chelsea reach Champions League semi-finals for first time, Manchester City also make last four

Updated 29/03/2018 at 10:22 GMT

Chelsea Ladies reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time as they beat Montpellier 5-1 on aggregate on Wednesday evening with Manchester City Women joining them in the final four.

Francesca Kirby of Chelsea is congratulated by team-mates after scoring the third goal during the UEFA Womens Champions League Quarter-Final second leg match between Chelsea Ladies and Montpellier at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on March 28, 2018 in Ki

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The Blues, leading 2-0 from the first leg, got off to the best start at Kingsmeadow when Fran Kirby nipped in to steal the ball and charged towards goal, keeping her cool and calmly slotting past the keeper just minutes in.

However Chelsea’s Hedvig Lindahl was the busier of the two keepers in the first half and the away team equalised when former Blue Sofia Jakobsson’s shot, which may well have been a cross, looped into the net.

Fran Kirby celebrates scoring thir third goal during the UEFA Womens Champions League Quarter-Final: Second Leg match between Chelsea Ladies and Montpellier at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on March 28, 2018 in Kingston upon Thames, England.

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The Blues responded brilliantly after the break when Kirby’s pass found Ramona Bachmann and the Swiss forward effortlessly struck the ball into the corner.

And Kirby wrapped up the victory when she slammed home a penalty after Ji So-yun was taken out in the box.

Ramona Bachmann of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the second goal during the UEFA Womens Champions League Quarter-Final second leg match between Chelsea Ladies and Montpellier Herault SC at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on March 28, 2018 in Kingston up

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Emma Hayes’ side will now face Wolfsburg in the semi-finals.

“For so long we’ve been told that English clubs can’t do it, because it’s about the French and German sides, but this is a proud day for Chelsea and Manchester City,” said Hayes afterwards.

We’re no longer second-class in Europe.

Chelsea coach Emma Hayes acknowledges the crowd after the UEFA Womens Champions League Quarter-Final second leg match between Chelsea Ladies and Montpellier at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on March 28, 2018 in Kingston upon Thames, England.

Image credit: Getty Images

And they could face City in the final provided that Nick Cushing’s women can overcome Lyon.

City also led 2-0 from their first leg but they made light work of Linkoping in their quarter-final, scoring four goals in the first half in Sweden.

Georgia Stanway notched a brace and although the home side restored some pride in the second half, City still ran out 5-3 winners.

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