Arsenal win UEFA Women’s Champions League with historic victory over FC Barcelona | OneFootball

Arsenal have won this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League by defeating reigning European champions FC Barcelona 1-0 in the final at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon this evening.

Stina Blackstenius came off the bench to net the winner for the North Londoners in the second half as Arsenal ended their 18-year wait to regain European club football’s top prize.

It was Arsenal who created the better of the chances in the first half. Caitlin Foord directed an early header wide before Barcelona defender Irene Parades put through her own net, however, the goal was chalked off as Frida Maanum was in an offside position when the ball was played into the box.

Maanum then saw a long-range piledriver pushed to safety by opposition goalkeeper Cata Coll before Kim Little fired a shot over from the resulting corner.

Barcelona’s best chance of the first half came from Aitana Bonmatí but her tame effort looped into the arms of Arsenal keeper Daphne van Domselaar.

The reigning European champions were inches away from breaking the deadlock early in the second half. Clàudia Pina took aim at goal but the ball deflected off Emily Fox before bouncing off the crossbar. Ona Batlle then struck an effort from range that went wide of the target.

Barcelona were piling on the pressure and Van Domselaar had to be alert to keep out a low Bonmatí effort before Batlle fired two shots in on goal but was unable to find the back of the net.

Arsenal substitute Blackstenius almost made an impact but her shot was saved by Coll before Ewa Pajor’s header landed on the roof of the net at the other end.

The deadlock was broken 16 minutes from time and it was Arsenal who made the breakthrough. Beth Mead played a pass to Blackstenius and she fired a shot low into the far corner of the Barcelona net.

Barcelona pushed hard for an equaliser but Arsenal put their bodies on the line and protected their goal well. It was a tough ending for The Gunners but they completed their mission and hung on for glory.

Arsenal have won the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time in the competition’s current format. The Gunners previously won the old UEFA Women’s Cup in 2006/2007.