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.
Russo’s standout season
Alessia Russo has been in top form this campaign, netting 12 goals in the Women’s Super League and adding another eight in European competition.
She’ll be a crucial figure if Arsenal are to make any sort of impact today in Lisbon.
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How to watch Women's Champions League final
The final is being shown live on streaming platform DAZN in the UK, where you can watch all the action for FREE.
It will also be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and on Discovery+, where a live stream will be available for TNT Sports customers.
Goal-scoring prowess
Barcelona lead the scoring charts in the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League with 44 goals, just one shy of Wolfsburg’s record for a single season set in 2013/14.
Clàudia Pina, the competition’s top scorer this season, is one goal short of equalling Alexia Putellas’ record of 11 goals in a single campaign, set in 2021/22.
Barcelona’s bid for history
A victory in Lisbon would make them just the third club to win four or more titles, joining the elite company of Lyon (eight) and Frankfurt (four).
They are the only club to have won both the men's and women's Champions League, underlining their unique status in European football.
Additionally, Barcelona remain the only Spanish team to have won or even reached the Women’s Champions League final.
The Blaugrana are also chasing their first-ever streak of ten consecutive wins in a single Champions League campaign, underscoring their current form and ambition.
Arsenal making history
Arsenal made history this season by becoming the first team to win three knockout ties after losing the first leg - overcoming Häcken, Real Madrid, and Lyon.
They are also the first team to reach the final under the current competition format starting from round 1, highlighting their remarkable resilience and consistency throughout the campaign.
Adding to their strength, Mariona Caldentey brings invaluable experience to the squad, having played in five Women’s Champions League finals with Barcelona before joining Arsenal in summer 2024.
Record-breaking campaign
By reaching the final from round 1, Arsenal will play a record 15 matches in a single season, surpassing Lyon’s previous best of 13 matches in 2021/22.
This will be Arsenal’s first-ever European game held in Portugal, adding a new chapter to their continental history.
Arsenal’s Champions League milestones
This final marks Arsenal’s 125th Women’s Champions League match, a testament to their long-standing presence at the top of European women’s football.
Only Lyon have played more games with 152 appearances.
Arsenal’s impressive record includes 73 wins and 341 goals scored, both figures surpassed only by Lyon.
This rich history highlights Arsenal’s consistency and pedigree on the continental stage making them one of the most successful and experienced clubs in the competition’s history.
Home atmosphere for Barcelona
All day, wherever I’ve been in Lisbon I’ve seen Arsenal shirts. There’s an impressive travelling support here, but the Arsenal fans are outnumbered in the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
As Irene Parades and Alexia Putellas leads out the defending champions, the stadium erupts. Barcelona have once again produced a home atmosphere for a Champions League final.
Turns out, it’s Barcelona who are everywhere.
Barcelona’s continued dominance
Barcelona have a strong record against English clubs with nine wins, two draws, and six losses, scoring 32 goals and conceding 18.
This season, Arsenal are the third English team they’ve faced, following a semi-final victory over Chelsea.
Barcelona began the group stage with a 0-2 loss at Manchester City but bounced back with a 3-0 home win in their return fixture.
Their only setback in the last five games against English sides was that initial defeat, winning the other four.
Clàudia Pina leads the charge with ten goals this season making her the competition’s top scorer by a clear margin.
Barcelona reached their sixth final in style, overpowering Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate with Pina scoring multiple goals alongside key contributions from Ewa Pajor, Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmatí, and Salma Paralluelo.
The team has now made the semi-finals seven seasons in a row, a record in the competition following a dominant 10-2 aggregate win over Wolfsburg in the quarters.
This season Barcelona’s only group stage loss was against Manchester City, but they comfortably defeated Hammarby and St. Pölten in both legs.
Having won the last three Champions League titles including a 2-0 win over Lyon last season, Barcelona continue their reign at the top of European women’s football.
Domestically they clinched their record-extending tenth Liga F title and two other trophies this year underscoring their unmatched dominance.
Uefa hoping for better entertainment in Women's Champions League final
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin will be at the Women’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona and will be hoping for better entertainment than he saw on Wednesday night, when Tottenham and Manchester United played out a dismal Europa League final in Bilbao.
This should certainly be easier on the eye, with Barcelona and Arsenal known for wanting to play the right way. Neither team is languishing near the bottom of their domestic league, either. Barcelona appear to be carrying the more vocal support in the stadium.
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