LISBON, Portugal — Arsenal pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over title-holders Barcelona within the UEFA Girls’s Champions League closing to raise their first European trophy in 18 years.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius netted the one objective of the night within the 74th minute after a reworked cross fell to Beth Mead, who threaded it by way of Barcelona’s defence for the Swedish striker. The Gunners struggled to take their probabilities — they’d the ball behind the online early after an Irene Paredes own-goal, nevertheless Frida Maanum was adjudged offside within the build-up.
Arsenal final gained the Champions League in 2007, which was additionally the final time they featured within the closing. With this win, Arsenal turn into the primary English staff to win a number of Champions League titles.
Barcelona — who had been uncharacteristically poor within the closing third — had been aiming for a 3rd consecutive trophy after defeating Lyon and Wolfsburg prior to now two seasons. The defeat additionally marked the tip of their quadruple hopes. — Emily Keogh
Arsenal’s 18-year anticipate a European trophy is lastly over
Arsenal’s agonising 18-year wait to achieve the Champions League closing got here to the absolute best finish in Lisbon, lifting the coveted Champions League trophy. It was solely their second look within the closing, the longest time between closing appearances within the historical past of the competitors.
However regardless of the virtually twenty years absent, Arsenal triumphed towards the ranked greatest staff in Europe, foiling their try at three consecutive continental titles.
The final time Arsenal gained the competitors was in 2006-07 season, whereas it was nonetheless often known as the UEFA Girls’s Cup. Additionally they grew to become quadruple winners that season, the primary and solely in England’s historical past.
Arsenal didn’t stroll away with home trophies this season — they had been all gained by Chelsea — making the European triumph much more of a shock. Arsenal had been undeniably underdogs heading into the night in Lisbon towards a staff who’re adept at profitable, however the lack of strain and “nothing to lose” perspective paid dividends for the north London membership.
It was additionally a bumpy highway for The Gunners. They eased previous qualifiers earlier than a 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich — adopted by 2-1 loss to Chelsea within the league — noticed the exit of former supervisor Jonas Eidevall. However beneath successor Renee Slegers, the staff topped the group, overturned a 2-0 deficit to Actual Madrid within the first leg of the quarter closing with a 3-0 win and defeated Lyon 4-1 within the second leg, after a preliminary 2-1 loss.
Although Barcelona had a better experience to the ultimate, breezing previous Chelsea 8-2 on combination, the grit, resilience and willpower that Arsenal displayed aided their mentality that they might pull off the shock win. — Keogh
A brand new winner ushers in a extra thrilling Champions League period
Arsenal’s win breathes new life into the Champions League forward of its revamp subsequent season. For the primary time since 2015, when Eintracht Frankfurt lifted the trophy, a staff aside from Lyon or Barça has gained the competitors.
It may sign a brand new period within the ladies’s recreation in Europe. Nobody fancied Arsenal firstly of the marketing campaign after they had been concerned within the qualifying rounds within the group stage. Nobody thought they’d beat Lyon within the semifinal, particularly after shedding the primary leg in London. They had been huge underdogs towards Barça in Lisbon, too.
In writing a brand new chapter within the membership’s historical past, they provide hope to the remainder of the groups who’ve been pressured to play second fiddle to Lyon and Barça for a decade. If Arsenal can do it, certainly English champions Chelsea can? Actual Madrid, who beat Barça earlier this season for the primary time ever in Liga F, can even take hope from the Gunners’ win, as will the German groups Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg.
It creates an interesting dynamic forward of subsequent season, when the competitors will likely be shaken up. As an alternative of a gaggle stage, the Swiss mannequin will likely be adopted, as was used within the males’s Champions League this season, wherein 18 groups participate in a league section.
Because of Arsenal, a lot of these 18 groups might now be considering: “Why not?” — Sam Marsden
Barcelona cannot ship in closing third
Barcelona had extra pictures (20 to eight) and extra possession (68%) than Arsenal however not often troubled Daphne van Domselaar in objective. In truth, previous to the match-winner, it was Cata Coll who had made the very best saves. The Barça stopper saved out Maanum’s first-half strike brilliantly after which denied Alessia Russo after the break.
Aitana Bonmatí was maybe the one attacking participant who turned up. Caroline Graham Hansen struggled to create from the precise, Alexia Putellas was unable to choose up the tempo of the sport when it was wanted and Ewa Pajor, who misplaced her fifth closing, having misplaced 4 beforehand with Wolfsburg, didn’t have an effect.
Coach Pere Romeu’s huge selections did not come off. Clàudia Pina has been so good off the bench this season, however she began right here. You’ll be able to perceive Romeu’s considering, Pina is the highest scorer within the competitors, however she had been taken off for Salma Paralluelo when Barça desperately wanted a objective late on. A braver substitution would have been to take Putellas off and go away Pina on.
Elsewhere, Romeu went for Fridolina Rolfö’s expertise over the vitality of Esmee Brugts, who has usually been the decide at left-back and was the shock omission right here. Rölfo has not appeared the identical since coming back from a long-term harm. — Marsden
Arsenal rode defensive luck however held sturdy
It was not the prettiest defending from Arsenal, who had been using their luck all through the night in Lisbon. Regardless of conserving it to 0-0 within the first half — the very best end result The Gunners may have requested for — there have been a number of nervy moments.
Some shambolic defending from Mariona Caldentey meant she handed the ball off to her former teammates, together with her present teammates making subsequent skewed clearances. It was clear that the miscommunication on the again was leaving them susceptible and, after a quick interval the place the Gunners took management, Barcelona had been fast to try to punish their lapses in focus.
Although they had been off the mark of their ending, Arsenal had been sending their clearances again to Barcelona shirts for them to try to attempt once more.
Van Domselaar appeared like a participant who has not performed in six weeks, as a result of she has not. After sustaining an ankle harm, she was match sufficient to face Lyon within the second leg however was unable to function after that till Saturday’s closing. Her often impeccable studying of the sport was hampered with punches falling to opposition when she ought to have caught the ball.
The centre-backs performed a key position in conserving Barcelona out. Leah Williamson’s fast adaptability to trace again and foil the Catalan’s try at pushing by way of on objective saved the holders’ probabilities to a minimal with Steph Catley additionally pulling off a number of crucial blocks. A final ditch flurry from Barcelona to try to stage the rating to ship the sport to additional time was effectively handled by Arsenal who clung on sufficient to maintain maintain of their slim victory. — Keogh
Barcelona have inquiries to reply now
Graham Hansen spoke to ESPN within the week in regards to the criticism of the staff being an excessive amount of at instances this season. Defeats to Manchester Metropolis, Levante and Actual Madrid had raised doubts, however the best way they dispatched Wolfsburg and Chelsea had silenced them.
They’ll resurface with this defeat.
Nobody is saying Barça usually are not nonetheless the very best staff in Europe. They’ll probably finish the season with a home treble once more — they’ve already gained Liga F and the Spanish Supercopa and nonetheless have the Copa de la Reina closing to return — and so they narrowly missed out on the Champions League, nevertheless it does really feel like they’re at a crucial juncture when it comes to planning for the long run.
As they tried to rally in Lisbon, they lacked a spark. Ready within the wings, they’ve children like Pina, Paralluelo, Brugts, Vicky López and Sydney Schertenleib screaming out for extra starring roles. In entrance of them are membership legends, however there at all times comes a time when change is required.
Barça do not want a revolution, however there may be want for evolution this summer season, with some tough questions needing solutions. — Marsden
Disney+ would be the house of the UEFA Girls’s Champions League throughout Europe from subsequent season and the one place followers can watch all stay matches within the competitors. Go to the Disney+ web site to get entry.
