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's Leah Williamson to DAZN: ‘We made a lot of people happy today’
"I don't have the words. I joined this football club and they were winners, they won everything and all I wanted to do was represent the badge in the same way and today we went another big step towards that.
"We play football to make people happy, not to make other people unhappy. Today, we made a lot of people happy."
Arsenal's Katie McCabe to DAZN: ‘We stuck together’
"It's an unbelievable feeling... we suffered today. Barcelona are an unbelievable team, but we stuck together, grinded it out and Stina got that moment and put it away."
Arsenal captain Kim Little to DAZN: ‘This club is incredible’
"I'm so proud of the girls. I'm so glad we've done this together.
"We came out today and did exactly what we wanted to do and executed it well. I'm so incredibly proud of this team and this club.
"This club is incredible. To be a part of it for so long is so special for me and to be here with the team tonight and lift the trophy with Leah is the highlight of my career."
Arsenal goal scorer Stina Blackstenius to DAZN: ‘The team made it possible for me’
"I'm so happy with that the goal, but this is a team performance. We have done it from the start and I'm so proud of everyone. They made it possible for me.
"It will take a moment to be like 'we actually won'. It's such a big moment and it hasn't sunk in yet."
Barcelona players in tears after final defeat
Until they fell behind, Barcelona were playing the second half of the Champions League final as if they were invincible. They looked so good, and the goal felt inevitable.
Now, stunned by Stina Blackstenius, the Barcelona players are in a state of shock. They did not see defeat coming after winning the last two. There were players in tears at full-time.
Arsenal forward Alessia Russo speaking after the game to TNT: ‘We believed from day one’
"We worked so hard. It feels amazing.
"We had to suffer a lot, There are a top side. We had to be content and happy with not having the ball, knowing our moment would come.
"When our game-changers came on, our squad wanted it so badly.
"It feel surreal. We knew we could, we believed since our journey started. It was just about doing and doing it and we did."
Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey to DAZN: ‘we made it’
"I can't believe it. Barca are an amazing team and we knew it was going to be hard. We suffered and we made it.
"We would have liked to have more of the ball. It's hard to defend all the time, but it was the game we had to play.
"We were mentally focused on that and it was perfect because we won."
On playing against her former side, Barcelona: "Really weird. A lot of emotions before and during the game, but now I'm playing for Arsenal and now I give everything to them."
Arsenal win the Women's Champions League
An incredible result in Lisbon as Arsenal become European champions
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
Arsenal have stunned the European giants to claim the Champions League title for the second time, 18 years after their first triumph. Stina Blackstenius secures her place in the history books.
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