Arsenal have won the Women’s Champions League for the second time, beating Barcelona 1-0 in the final in Lisbon.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius scored the game’s only goal in the 75th minute after a brilliant pass from England’s Beth Mead.
Defending champions Barcelona had dominated the game up to that point, both in possession and shots on goal.
Despite their mostly dominating opponent, Arsenal had nearly taken the lead in the 21st minute of the game, when Barcelona’s Irene Paredes turned Chloe Kelly’s cross into her net.
But the British winger had gone slightly too early, and VAR ruled for offside.
Image: Arsenal players were celebrating after scoring their first goal. Pic: PA
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers, who can now call herself a European winner in her very first season with the north London club, said prior to the game that her team, who many considered the underdogs, wanted “to show bravery”.
Barcelona went into the match as favourites to lift the trophy, having won three of the last four competitions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal – the only English team to have won the women’s competition – had not lifted the trophy since their first time in 2006-07 season.
WSL Golden Boot joint-winner Alessia Russo said before the final that she knew Arsenal may not be the bookmakers’ favourites compared to Barcelona, who were looking for a second straight treble, having already won Liga F and the Copa de la Reina.
But she added: “I also believe we are a very good football team. Maybe there’s a bit of that (doubt), but not internally. Internally, we know how good we are.
“We know the style that we want to play in, that we commit to every day in training. Internally, we’re good.”
The Arsenal players demonstrated just how “good” they are during their impressive win against favourites Barcelona, thanks to a masterclass by Mead and Blackstenius.
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