Arsenal 1-0 Barça Femení: the 'gunners' prevent the culé three-peat in Champions

Arsenal broke the hegemony of FC Barcelona Femení with a surprising minimal victory in Lisbon (1-0). At the José Alvalade, the 'gunners' obtained the second Women's Champions League in their history thanks to a goal by the Swedish Stina Blackstenius in the 74th minute.

With this, Barça was left at the gates of its first European three-peat in what was its fifth consecutive final. Pere Romeu's team dominated the match, but lacked clarity to reach the rival area with danger.

Finally, Arsenal celebrates its second crown, the first in 18 years after the one obtained in 2007 and breaks with the culé hegemony. Barcelona will continue with three titles as the third highest winner of the tournament, behind Eintracht Frankfurt (4) and Olympique Lyon (8).

Arsenal knew how to contain Barça in the first half

Aitana gave a scare in the pre-match warm-up, after a clash with a teammate that almost injured her wrist, but finally the best footballer on the planet was able to be in the starting XI. Surprisingly, the English team started the match better, with an intense high pressure to prevent Pere Romeu's team from getting out clearly.

Foord had the first clear chance for the London team, with a shot slightly deflected after winning the back of Ona Battle. Barça struggled to take control of the match, committing many inaccuracies in the transfer as a result of nerves and the good 'gunner' defensive work.

Arsenal, yes, also gave some signs of insecurity in the back, with serious problems to clear lateral centers. The first goal of the match was for the English team, but luckily there was a previous offside to the clearance of the ball by Irene Paredes when the leather had already crossed the line.

The scare came in the 23rd minute and, in the 26th minute, Maanum warned again with a powerful shot repelled by Cata Coll. These were the worst minutes for an uncomfortable azulgrana team on the field. Aitana, with a distant shot and Graham, with a shot inside the area where the Norwegian forward claimed a handball (there was nothing punishable) caused the only outstanding arrivals of Barça.

Azulgrana dominance without reward in the second half

In the second half, both teams took to the field with their elevens intact. Paredes received the first warning of the match for a late tackle on Foord and Pere Romeu's team still could not reach the rival area clearly.

However, after the 10th minute of the second half, the culé dominance in possession began to create danger for the 'gunners'. Ona Battle warned with a shot from the edge of the area that grazed the post, although goalkeeper Van Domselaar still did not intervene until the 61st minute, after a low shot from Bonmatí that forced the corner.

Blackstenius opened the scoring for Arsenal

Stina Blackstenius scored the title goal for Arsenal against Barça Femení

For her part, coach Renée Slegers, who won the tactical duel against Pere Romeu from start to finish, also moved the bench with the entry of Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius, the latter being decisive for the process of the match.

In the 74th minute, an error in Alexia's exit allowed Mariona to recover the ball and pass to Mead. She did the same with a filtered pass that Blackstenius took advantage of to open the scoring with a crossed shot.

With only seven minutes on the field, the Swedish forward beat Cata Coll's resistance to put the 'gunners' ahead. Pere Romeu looked for a reaction with the entry of Brugts and Engen for Rolfö and Mapi León, turning Barça to look for the tie.

Final effort without reward for Barça Femení

Aitana and Graham tried again and again with crosses into the area, given the lack of spaces conceded by an Arsenal totally retreated near their goal to defend the minimum advantage.

Before the end, referee Ivana Martincic warned Salma for a clash with Mead that stopped the match for a couple of minutes. The main Croatian added 7 of discount, product of this and other interruptions in the complement.

However, Barça never found the formula to violate the rival goal and, despite adding 20 shots (5 on goal), they were left empty-handed in Lisbon. The Women's Champions League passes into the hands of Arsenal, after two consecutive consecrations of the culés and five finals in a row. Nothing to reproach to a team of epoch that again gave everything on the field.

Match data sheet: Arsenal 1-0 FC Barcelona Femení

• Arsenal, 1: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Maanum (Blackstenius, min. 67), Mariona, Lillte; Kelly (Mead, min. 67), Foord (Hurtig, min. 87) and Russo (Wubben-Moy, min. 90+1).
• FC Barcelona Femení, 0: Cata Coll; Battle, Paredes, León (Engen, min. 78), Rolfö (Brugts, min. 78); Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas, Aitana; Graham, Claudia Pina (Salma, min. 62) and Ewa Pajor.
• Goals: 1-0, Stina Blackstenius (min. 74).
• Referee: Ivana Martincic (Croatia). For Barça, she warned Irene Paredes and Salma Paralluelo. In Arsenal, she warned Chloe Kelly.
• Stadium: José Alvalade (Lisbon, Portugal).
• Incidents: match corresponding to the final of the UEFA Women's Champions League 2024/25.