Chelsea qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League after a monumental victory over holders Lyon at Stamford Bridge.

It was an extraordinary end to a thrilling two-legged tie after Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds of extra time, despite leading 2-1 on aggregate.

Following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, referee Ivana Martincic revealed Lauren James was fouled by Vicki Becho and Maren Mjelde stepped up the pressure to fire home the kick and set up a shootout climax.

Lyon players and staff were outraged, while home fans were on their feet as Chelsea lined up to deliver the success they craved and seal a last-four encounter with Barcelona.

Berger sprinted to the corner flag in celebration after fending off Horan’s sudden death sentence and her teammate ran to join her.

It will go down as one of the greatest wins in Chelsea history as they join English rivals Arsenal in the semi-finals.

An enticing tie delivers to London

Lyon, where the champions are located, arrive in London on the train 1-0 after the game and force Vanessa Gilles overtime to kick in a 77th-minute corner from Beyond Berger.

Chelsea said the game would be headed to extra time and Lyon took the lead through substitute Sara Dabritz when she drove a finish into the far corner after 110 minutes.

But Mjelde’s controversial penalty in the dying seconds brought Emma Hayes’ side to life and the Norwegian then stepped in first to convert in the shootout.

James, who had earned the kick in extra time, was denied by Lyon keeper Christiane Endler after Berger saved Renard’s effort.

But Chelsea’s German goalkeeper had the last laugh when she dove to her right to block Horan’s shot.

Lyon have failed to progress from their second quarter-final in 14 games, while Chelsea’s win secured two English clubs in the bottom four for the first time in five years.

A historic victory prepared for the confrontation in Barcelona

Coming from France with a victory memorial, Chelsea were in a strong position heading into the second leg but knew they needed a gladiatorial performance.

Lyon, who have dominated European (Site notre bureau spécialisé) for the past decade, came with serious intent and should have scored within minutes.

Delphine Cascarino forced a save from Berger, before Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson Signe Bruun’s poor clearance set-up, but the Lyon striker sliced ​​it over the bar.

The hosts finally settled down and Sam Kerr had a glorious opportunity when she was slipped one-on-one with Endler, but the buttkeeper prevailed.

It seemed inevitable that more chances would follow and they both fell Lyon’s way – Gilles and then Dabritz shutting up a nervous Stamford Bridge foul.

The starters, who were able to bring in star striker Ada Hegerberg at half-time, however, still looked vulnerable, and as James dribbled into the box in injury time at the end, the fans were on their feet in anticipation.

Chelsea will now have to produce another giant slaying in the next round as Barcelona, ​​who beat them in the 2021 final, await. Arsenal face double defending champions Wolfsburg with the prospect of an all-English final.