Arsenal Ladies claimed their second Ladies’s Champions League title with a 1-0 victory over holders Barcelona in Lisbon.
Stina Blackstenius’ 74th-minute strike was the decisive second in a resolute defensive show that denied Barcelona a 3rd consecutive European crown.
From the primary whistle, Barcelona regarded intent on dominating the ball, with Aitana Bonmati pulling the strings in midfield and Ewa Pajor a relentless aerial risk.
Arsenal, nevertheless, held their form effectively and located early attacking promise by means of Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly, although their closing supply usually allow them to down.
The primary actual likelihood fell to Barcelona within the thirty first minute, when Bonmati’s curling effort from exterior the field compelled a flying save from Daphne van Domselaar.
Minutes later, Arsenal thought that they had damaged the impasse when Irene Paredes turned the ball into her personal web. Nonetheless, a prolonged VAR overview dominated out the purpose for offside.
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. THE ONLY IN THE LAND ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6HELAUEn23
— Arsenal Ladies (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
Barcelona emerged from the break with renewed depth. Claudia Pina and Bonmati each noticed efforts saved by van Domselaar in fast succession, and the Spanish champions compelled a flurry of corners that saved the Arsenal defence pinned again.
Jonas Eidevall’s substitutions proved essential. Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius got here off the bench simply after the hour mark and instantly supplied recent impetus.
Within the 74th minute, Mead slipped a superbly weighted by means of ball into the trail of Blackstenius, who steadied herself earlier than slotting low previous Cata Coll.
Barcelona poured ahead searching for an equaliser, with Caroline Hansen and Salma Paralluelo probing down the flanks. Van Domselaar, nevertheless, was in impressed kind, denying Bonmati and Pina but once more because the minutes ticked away.
Arsenal’s rearguard stood tall, absorbing wave after wave of strain, and when the ultimate whistle blew after eight minutes of added time, they erupted in celebration.
