Arsenal made history by defeating Barcelona 1-0 to win the Women’s Champions League for the second time. The match took place on Saturday at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon. Stina Blackstenius scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute, assisted by Beth Mead, who had just come on as a substitute.
This victory comes 18 years after Arsenal first clinched the title, making them the only English club to have won the top honor in women’s football. After the final whistle, Arsenal players celebrated with their fans, who filled the stands with red and white, contrasting with the sea of burgundy and blue that represented Barcelona.
Alessia Russo, an Arsenal striker, expressed the team’s belief in their ability to win from the start of their Champions League journey. She said, “We knew that we had the capabilities. It was just about going and doing it. And we’ve done it!”
Barcelona entered the match as favorites, aiming for their fourth title in five years. They had a strong lineup, featuring two-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas. The team had dominated the competition, defeating teams like Wolfsburg and Chelsea in earlier rounds.
Despite Barcelona’s reputation, Arsenal’s defense held strong, except for a brief period early in the second half. The match saw Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll make several impressive saves to keep the score level. However, Blackstenius eventually broke through, scoring the only goal of the match.
This win caps off a challenging season for Arsenal, which saw the resignation of coach Jonas Eidevall, followed by assistant Renee Seglers taking over. Under Seglers, the team found renewed confidence, overcoming strong opponents like Real Madrid and Lyon before facing Barcelona.
Barcelona fans, who filled the stadium, were left disappointed as their team struggled to find the net. Their closest chance came when Claudia Pina hit the crossbar shortly after halftime. Despite their efforts, including three long-range shots from Ona Batlle, they could not find an equalizer.
Bonmatí expressed her regret to the fans after the match, promising to strive for better results in the future. Arsenal, on the other hand, celebrated a remarkable achievement, showcasing their resilience and determination throughout the tournament.