Arsenal has upset defending champions Barcelona 1-0 to win the Women’s Champions League for the second time. Stina Blackstenius scored in the 75th minute after being set up by fellow second-half substitute Beth Mead Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon on Saturday.
Arsenal's title came 18 years after it became the first, and still the only, English club to win the top club title in women’s soccer. Arsenal’s players embraced on the final whistle and ran to celebrate in front of the red-and-white corner of the stands, otherwise mostly dressed in burgundy-and-blue.
“We believed from the moment our Champions League journey started,” Arsenal striker Alessia Russo said. “We knew that we had the capabilities. We knew that we could be good enough. It was just about going and doing it. And we've done it!” Barcelona were considered the favourites. They were aiming for a fourth title in five years to become the only team other than Lyon to win three consecutive titles. The team led by two-time Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas won nine straight matches in the competition and blew out Wolfsburg and English champion Chelsea in the knockout rounds.
But Arsenal locked down in defence and created the best chances. Two superb saves by Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll to deny a break to Frida Maanum and Blackstenius kept it scoreless until Blackstenius finally beat her.
The loss was a huge disappointment for the large group of Barcelona fans who filled the stadium that is home to Sporting Lisbon. Blue-and-burgundy shirts and flags outnumbered the red-and-white section, but their calls of “Yes we can!” in the final minutes weren’t enough to inspire a comeback by the Catalan club. The closest Barcelona came to a goal was a shot by Claudia Pina that hit the crossbar just after halftime when the Spanish team had its best period. Otherwise, the game was to Arsenal’s liking. England striker Russo was a rock for Arsenal, using her size to win balls and keep the attack going.
Follow us
