Arsenal Women ended an 18-year wait for European glory with a dramatic 1-0 victory over reigning champions Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, thanks to a clutch goal from substitute Stina Blackstenius.
The Estadio Jose Alvalade was the stage for a tactical masterclass by Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers, who became the first Dutch manager to win the Women’s Champions League.
The Gunners, competing in their first European final since their historic 2007 triumph, overcame a slow start to deliver a resilient and disciplined performance.
After a nervy opening, Arsenal thought they had taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Irene Paredes deflected Frida Maanum’s cross into her own net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Maanum continued to threaten, forcing a brilliant save from Cata Coll with a long-range effort.
Barcelona, favourites to lift their fourth European crown in five years, looked more dangerous after the break and nearly went ahead through Claudia Pina, whose strike ricocheted off the bar.
The game changed in the 67th minute when Slegers introduced Blackstenius and Beth Mead. Within minutes, Mead found Blackstenius with a clever reverse pass, and the Swede buried the winner into the bottom-left corner — her first Champions League goal since November.
Despite intense late pressure from Barcelona, Arsenal held firm through seven minutes of added time to spark celebrations in Lisbon. Barcelona ended the match with 20 shots and a higher xG (0.98) than Arsenal (0.64), but the Gunners made their moment count.
With the win, Arsenal remain the only English side to ever lift the Women’s Champions League, capping a remarkable European campaign and sealing their place in football history.
