Arsenal defeated Barcelona 1-0 in a nail-biting final in Lisbon to win the Women’s Champions League for the second time in their history.
After England’s Beth Mead provided a beautiful assist, substitute Stina Blackstenius scored in the 75th minute to give the Gunners the coveted championship.
In terms of possession and shots on goal, defending champions Barcelona controlled the game and had a lot of chances but were unable to score.
The Catalan powerhouses dominated the match, but Arsenal’s defense stayed firm and took advantage of their few openings.
Early in the game, there was some drama, with Arsenal nearly grabbing the lead in the twenty-first minute. Irene Paredes of Barcelona converted a cross from British winger Chloe Kelly into her own net. Kelly had gone a little too early, though, and the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
Prior to the game, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers emphasized that her club, which is sometimes viewed as the underdog, was committed to “show bravery” in the championship game. They were able to capitalize on their limited opportunities and withstand Barcelona’s pressure thanks to this mentality.
Barcelona was the overwhelming favorite going into the game because they had won three of the previous four Women’s Champions League championships. Arsenal took home the trophy when they failed to secure a fourth victory, despite their recent dominance.
Arsenal is the only English team to have won the coveted Women’s Champions League twice, and this success is their first since their 2006–07 Championship win.
