Stina Blackstenius stunned Barcelona with a 75th-minute winner to secure Arsenal’s second Women’s Champions League title, their first since 2007.
Barcelona came into the match as reigning giants, having claimed three of the last four titles, but Arsenal, this season’s comeback queens, had already knocked out eight-time champions Lyon in the semi-finals. Despite conceding 13 goals in their final three domestic games, Arsenal held firm defensively in Lisbon, with Daphne van Domselaar returning in goal to preserve the clean sheet.
The game was decided by a moment of brilliance from Blackstenius, who finished confidently after receiving a clever reverse pass from Beth Mead. Earlier, Arsenal had a goal disallowed for offside after Irene Paredes inadvertently turned a Frida Maanum cross into her own net. VAR ruled out the goal due to an earlier infringement.
Barcelona dominated possession and created several chances in the second half. Claudia Pina rattled the crossbar, while Ona Batlle also came close, but the Spanish side could not find a way past the resolute Arsenal defence. Barcelona had scored 19 goals in their three previous matches and had not failed to score in 41 games across all competitions. That run came to an end against an Arsenal team that played with grit and tactical discipline.
The win means Arsenal bypass the qualifying rounds for next season’s Women’s Champions League, joining Chelsea directly in the league phase. It also marks a historic achievement as Arsenal becomes the first team since Frankfurt in 2015 to win the competition outside of the traditional powerhouses, Lyon and Barcelona.
For Chloe Kelly, the victory capped an emotional turnaround. Having considered stepping away from football in January after a difficult spell at Manchester City, she found new life on loan at Arsenal. Her gratitude to the club was heartfelt, calling the title win “crazy” and a moment she would always treasure, regardless of what comes next in her career.
Arsenal captain Kim Little, who joined the club a year after their 2007 title win, said the team’s journey felt destined. Playing through sweltering heat, she praised the collective execution of their game plan and celebrated lifting the trophy alongside Leah Williamson, who had once been a mascot when Arsenal last won it.
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Williamson herself said she was speechless, reflecting on the club’s legacy and their responsibility to bring joy to fans. She highlighted the significance of their journey from a rocky start to the season to standing atop European football once again.
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers credited the players, staff, and supporters for their commitment and spirit. She identified key phases in the match where Arsenal needed to be sharp, particularly the opening 20 minutes and the late second-half pressure. Her substitutions—bringing on Blackstenius and Mead—proved decisive.
Slegers’ style has been notably player-focused. She has built deep relationships with the squad, scheduling daily one-on-one sessions to discuss everything from tactics to personal issues. This empathetic approach has drawn admiration and helped foster the unity that powered Arsenal through a challenging campaign.
The final whistle marked more than just the end of a match—it was the culmination of an 18-year wait, a season of resilience, and the reward for belief and bravery. Arsenal, once again, are champions of Europe.
SkySports
