Arsenal vs Barcelona LIVE: Underdog Gunners make history with stunning Women’s Champions League win
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona: Stina Blackstenius grabbed the only goal and the Gunners valiantly clung on to become European champions for the first time in 18 years
Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as Arsenal shocked two-time holders Barcelona 1-0 in Lisbon to dramatically claim their second Women’s Champions League title.
Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Swedish star Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when she latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead's reverse pass in a crowded penalty area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Cata Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Renee Slegers’s Gunners, who were making just their second appearance in the final for 18 years having won Europe's top competition in 2007, held on for a stunning victory to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans.
The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team playing in their sixth final in seven years and who had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns. Saturday’s defeat was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions.
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers to TNT Sports:
"We only keep on building, keep believing on what we can do. And then we're building something really strong, keep building next season. And Arsenal want to keep winning trophies!"
Arsenal captain Kim Little to TNT Sports: ‘It felt like our year’
"We just had an incredible run in the Champions League. It felt like our year, we played the game the way we wanted.
"In the other games, we had two legs and had time to adjust. We had one game today and had to execute the game plan, manage the space well and the whole team did that. I’m so proud.
"I’ll have sunstroke later, it was very hot! Definitely worse than England, and with this Scottish skin as well!
"We have an incredible squad, we showed that today. Especially with Beth and Stina coming on, then Lina and Lotte who saw out the game.
"To win that trophy, then to lift it with Leah – a childhood Gooner and like myself had been at the club a long time – that was really special.
"This is the ultimate for a club, but we’ve not won the league in a while, so we’re due one of them. We’ll enjoy this one first!"
Aitana Bonmatí to Catalan TV: ‘Absolutely devastated’
“I don't believe it. I just want to start the game again and do it differently. But this is football. This will serve to come back stronger next year.
“We were not as good as we usually are in the first half. We were more comfortable after the break, but I have to congratulate Arsenal for their performance. They had their game plan and they took advantage of their chances.
£Personally, this hurts me a lot. It's tough. It's hard looking at the stands and seeing all the supporters. It reminds me of Turin (when Barça lost their last final).
“It's a dead ball and we didn't defend it well. In the other area, those of us in attack have to take our chances. We're really sorry, we gave everything. We were not at our best and football penalises you when you're not. Now we have to keep working hard and what's happened in Lisbon has to serve to improve in the future.”
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers to DAZN: ‘We've found ways to win in high-pressure moments’
"Arsenal has been working so hard and leading the way from the start.
"But you see things this season in the team and there are signs that when you are a winning team, you struggle together, you suffer together, you find ways to win.
"In critical, high-pressure moments, we've done that this season."
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers to DAZN: ‘We need fresh legs with subs’
"You make decisions all the times, with players on the pitch and on the sidelines and getting the timing right.
"But all the credit to the players and how they've dealt with this occasion has been superb.
"Fresh legs. It was really tough for the players on the pitch. It was a tough, physical game and we saw Paredes on a yellow card and we want to threaten them more in behind."
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers to DAZN: insight into Arsenal victory
"I'm so happy for the players, staff, everyone working so hard.
"The fans travel with us everywhere, they back us, they support us. We feel so connected to them and I'm so glad we bought this to them.
"There were a few key phases in the game when we knew we had to do really well. That was the start of the game, the first 10 to 20 minutes, we knew Barcelona were going to start fast and come here confident, so we have to stop them, which we did really well.
"Then we grew into the game, we created a couple of good, open chances. At the end of the first half, they had momentum, and we knew it was going to shift.
"They are so good on the ball and they locked us down in the final third, but we defended so well in the key moments.
"In the second half, they had a lot of possession. But again, how we suffered and dealt with different phases. The players that came on for us made a difference. I'm so proud of the team."
Arsenal coach Kelly Smith to TNT Sports: ‘More to come from this Arsenal team!’
"I can't believe it - 18 years since we last won it. Our coaching staff, it's been a hard two weeks getting the game plan together but the players absolutely nailed it today.
"We had the better chances in the first half, Barcelona came out stronger and took it up a notch. But what a squad this is!
"The nerves were awful! I didn't play the final in 2007 as I was suspended, but I had the same feelings back then! Sweaty palms, dry mouth but this team is amazing. More to come from them next year!
What's changed since Eidevall? "Just communication with the players from Renee, the relationship. She's been really honest with them!
"We knew what we had to do. Barcelona are an amazing team, we respect them, but we really believed we could win if we were all on our A-game, and we were!
On getting Russo, Blackstenius on form: "We did a lot of individual stuff, finishing across the goal, left foot, right foot stuff. It paid off because we've just won the Champions League!
"I'm sure the Emirates is rocking! I can't wait to party with the players tonight, get back on the plane and I don't know what's happening tomorrow!"
Arsenal’s impressive defensive record
Before facing Arsenal, Barcelona had scored nineteen goals over their previous three matches and had kept clean sheets in their last four games.
The match against Arsenal was the first time in forty-one games that Barcelona failed to score.
Additionally, in their last eleven matches across all competitions, Barcelona had consistently scored at least two goals per game.
Arsenal will celebrate at the Emirates on Monday
Now it's Barcelona's turn to salute Arsenal with a guard of honour as the team heads to the podium to receive their winners' medals and most importantly lift the Champions League trophy.
Arsenal will hold a celebration in Armoury Square, outside Emirates Stadium, on Monday May 26. The public celebration will run from 11.30am to 12.15pm.
Barcelona collect their medals
Barcelona make their way through Arsenal’s guard of honour to receive their runners-up medals from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
It’s an unfamiliar position for them and the players look stunned - though there are still handshakes, hugs and high fives exchanged among the squad.
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