The task that faced Emma Hayes's side in Catalonia should not be forgotten. Barcelona had not been beaten at home in five years and had not failed to score on their own turf in the Champions League since 2016.

And yet after 90 hard-fought minutes, Chelsea achieved both those feats. Cuthbert's first-half goal proved the difference between the two teams but every player in Blue stepped up and delivered.

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'We' only had one day to build toward this game,' explained a tired but elated Cuthbert after full-time. 'We trained, travelled and prepared the game plan in one day (Friday). it was a lot to absorb but everyone went the extra mile.

'We actually had an extra meeting because we wanted to go over a few more things and we executed the game plan perfectly. It's one thing talking about that, it's another doing it. I'm so proud of the team.'

Chelsea's first-leg victory was all the more impressive because Barcelona failed to register a single shot on target.

That's not to say the Spanish side didn't have their chances – two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas missed a glorious one late on – but Chelsea's clean sheet was well deserved.

‘It’s important to stay disciplined against a team like Barcelona, who try to drag you out of certain spaces,' said Cuthbert. 'Their movements are really good and in midfield you’ve got players to your left, right, in front of you and behind you.

'As an aggressive player I like to be front-footed, but if you go forward you then leave a lot of space behind. So I was really disciplined in my performance and credit to my partner in midfield, Mel Leupolz, I thought she was outstanding today as well.

'We needed everyone to put in a near-perfect performance today and that’s what we did, but it’s only halfway to a good result.’

Chelsea have a free week to prepare for the second leg, which will be played at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 27 April.

More than 24,000 tickets have already been sold for what will also be Hayes's final game at Stamford Bridge, but Cuthbert wants to see the stands filled as the Blues aim to reach the Champions League final.

‘We need a sellout, we need your support,' she said. 'Barcelona will bring a lot of energy and we need our 12th player. We need everybody, including the fans, to give us the energy to help get us over the line.’