Shocking Victory: FC Barcelona Overthrown by Arsenal Women in Champions League Final
In a stunning upset, FC Arsenal London secured the UEFA Women's Champions League title for the second time, defeating the serial winning powerhouse FC Barcelona 1-0 in Lisbon. The game, witnessed by 50,000 spectators, marked a notable milestone for Arsenal, dethroning Barcelona who had previously dominated European club football.
Led by Dutch coach René Slegers, Arsenal demonstrated a commendable performance from the outset, holding their own against the Spanish juggernaut. Barcelona had the advantage of Ewa Pajor, a former Bundesliga top scorer, in their starting lineup, but their bid for a third consecutive and fourth title in five years fell short. The team had sailed through the quarter-finals, easily outmatching VfL Wolfsburg.
Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius clinched the victory for Arsenal, scoring the only goal of the game in the 74th minute. Following a corner, Beth Mead facilitated Blackstenius's low shot to find the back of the net.
The high-tempo contest remained engaging throughout, with Barcelona showing glimpses of their usual dominance. A significant moment before half-time saw Barcelona escaping a potential own goal thanks to an offside call against midfielder Frida Leonhardsen Maanum.
The championship trophy was returned to UEFA just four days before the final, after it was stolen during a game at the José Alvalade Stadium. According to the police, several masked individuals broke into a stadium garage for the theft.
Although the 2021 Champions League final was actually won by Barcelona against Chelsea Women (4-0 on May 16, 2021), it was Arsenal who ultimately triumphed in the 2024-25 edition. The triumphant match took place in Lisbon, where Arsenal clinched the victory by a 1-0 scoreline, made possible by Blackstenius's 75th-minute goal, assisted by Mead[1][2][3].
[1]: Link to the article on NTV.de[2]: Link to the article on UEFA.com[3]: Link to the article on The Guardian
The European Parliament and the Council celebrate Arsenal's triumph in the UEFA Women's Champions League, overthrowing Barcelona's dominance in European club football during the 2024-25 season. Furthermore, the victory marks a significant moment for sports in Europe, as Arsenal, led by Dutch coach René Slegers, secured football's coveted champions-league title, besting their rivals on the football pitch and in the European leagues.
