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 0-0 Barcelona
68 mins: Arsenal bring on Blackstenius and Mead for Kelly and Maanum. Blackstenius adds pace and power, giving Slegers two strikers on the field.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
65 mins: Batlle’s long-range shot bounces tricky, but Van Domselaar saves on the second attempt.
Arsenal push back with McCabe’s run into the box, but no penalty after a tight tackle. Kelly gets booked for an off-the-ball shove on Putellas.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
61 mins: Foord is putting in a huge effort to mark opposing players, showing real selflessness as she pushes herself to cover ground she’d rather avoid.
Meanwhile the benches are starting to stir, but before any changes - Bonmati forces a strong save from Van Domselaar. Batlle shoots just over the bar again. First Barcelona sub: Pina comes off, Salma Paralluelo comes on.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
58 mins: Barcelona’s bench reacts as a throw-in goes to Arsenal. Williamson intercepts Putellas’ pass and blocks Pina’s shot. Little also picks off a cut-back, but Arsenal’s defence is under heavy pressure.
Arsenal hold the ball briefly, though Williamson’s cross is off target. Putellas is causing trouble, but Williamson is standing firm with key challenges.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
55 mins: Bonmati and Putellas are starting to dictate play a concern for Arsenal given their ability to operate in tight spaces. Guijarro fires just wide from distance adding to the pressure. But once again, Fox steps in with a crucial interception giving Arsenal a brief moment to regroup.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
52 mins: Foord recycles possession after a free-kick is cleared, but her persistence ends in a foul. Moments later, Fox shows great awareness at the edge of the box stepping in smartly to break up Barcelona’s attack.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
49 mins: Chance! Crossbar! Pina’s deflected effort crashes off the woodwork. Arsenal breathe a sigh of relief. Barcelona had broken through on the left with some sharp passing and Van Domselaar was caught out, but the Gunners escape.
Just moments earlier Russo was awarded a foul near halfway halting what Barcelona believed was a promising counter. At the other end, Paredes picks up a yellow for a challenge.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
47 mins: Arsenal apply early pressure to Barcelona’s build-up, but the holders work their way through it. Graham Hansen swings in a cross that Fox nods behind for a corner.
Pina then tests her luck from range after a short routine, but it’s a comfortable stop for Van Domselaar.
Kick-off! Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
Arsenal get us back underway, scoreless so far in Lisbon.
No half-time changes. Barcelona's stars including Putellas, have been quiet so far, a big plus for Arsenal. But with over twice as many accurate passes as the Gunners, Barça’s control could become dangerous. Arsenal must keep breaking their rhythm.
Fara Williams speaking on TNT:
“Arsenal had a rocky start to the game but they’ve started to grow in confidence. You can start to see their self-belief within the team.
“You’re literally begging on the sidelines for one of these to go in and Kim Little with probably the best chance of all puts it over the bar.
“It’s coming for Arsenal. You can see the belief growing more and more as the game has gone on.”
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