Women's Arsenal squad shock FC Barcelona in Champions League finale
Arsenal Women Stuns FC Barcelona in Champions League Final
In a shocking turn of events, FC Arsenal Women triumphed over serial champions FC Barcelona Women in the Champions League final, claiming their second European title and snapping the Spanish team's bid for a third consecutive victory. The decisive goal was scored by Stina Blackstenius, a substitute, in the 74th minute.
The high-stakes match, played before an audience of 50,000 fans in Lisbon, saw Arsenal hold their ground against the powerful Spaniards from the opening whistle. Barcelona, with the twice Bundesliga top scorer Ewa Pajor in their starting lineup, had left no chance for VfL Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals. However, Arsenal, who won the UEFA Women's Cup in 2007, managed to keep Barcelona's attacking efforts at bay.
The game remained a thrilling spectacle even after the break, but 15 minutes before the end, Arsenal cracked the deadlock. After a corner, Beth Mead skillfully directed the ball to Blackstenius, who clinically finished the move, finding the back of the net beyond the left post.
Barcelona's hopes of a fourth victory in five years were dashed. A close call came for Barcelona before the break when an own goal by Irene Paredes was disallowed due to an offside call against midfielder Frida Leonhardsen Maanum.
Prior to the highly anticipated final, the trophy had obliquely starred in its own drama. Stolen four days before the final from the José Alvalade Stadium where the trophy was scheduled to be presented, it was recovered by UEFA. According to police reports, several masked individuals broke into a garage within the arena to steal the coveted prize.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Football
- FC Barcelona
- FC Arsenal London
The European Parliament and the Council will likely take an interest in the thrilling Champions League football match between FC Barcelona and FC Arsenal London, as Arsenal Women stunned their opponents to claim a second European title. The shock victory denied Barcelona a third consecutive Champions League title in football.
