Arsenal ends Barcelona's reign with 1-0 win to claim second Women's Champions League

Arsenal stunned the football world by defeating six-time finalist Barcelona 1-0 in Lisbon, with Stina Blackstenius scoring the decisive goal. Despite Barcelona's dominance in possession and attempts, Arsenal's resilient defense and emotional team spirit secured their first European crown since 2007, signaling a major shift in women's football power dynamics.

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Updated 39m ago

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Arsenal claimed their second UEFA Women's Champions League title with a 1-0 win over defending champions Barcelona at Estadio Jose9 Alvalade in Lisbon.
The match was tightly contested, with Barcelona dominating possession and attempts, but Arsenal's defense held firm. The decisive moment came in the 75th minute when substitute Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal.

Barcelona, aiming for a third consecutive title and their fourth in seven years, struggled to convert their dominance into goals, managing just one shot on target in the first half.
Barcelona captain Bonmated expressed her devastation: "I don't believe it. I just want to start the game again and do it differently." She added, "They had a game plan and they took advantage of their chances. The goal comes from a dead ball that we didn't defend well."

Arsenal players and staff celebrated a historic victory. Forward Alessia Russo said through tears, "We had to suffer a lot. Theyre a top side... Our squad just wanted it so badly." Captain Kim Little called it the "best moment" of her career, while manager Renee Slegers believes this triumph marks a new era for the club.

This victory ends Barcelona's reign and adds to Arsenal's legacy as the only English women's team to win the Champions League, their first title coming in 2007. Former players and pundits hailed the achievement, with former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen calling it "an outrageous achievement," and former Arsenal striker Ian Wright saying it "saved the club" after a difficult season for the men's team.

Despite Barcelona's 20 attempts and 12 corners compared to Arsenal's eight attempts and two corners, Arsenal's resilience and tactical execution proved decisive. The win underscores the competitive growth of women's football and Arsenal's return to European glory.

Quotes:
"It feels surreal. We knew we could [win]. We believed since the moment our Champions League journey started." - Alessia Russo
"I don't believe it, I'm going to f*****g cry. Sorry, I'm crying. This team has been together for a really long time and we've been working really, really hard to get to the next level." - Williamson

Stats:
- Final score: Arsenal 1, Barcelona 0
- Goal scored in 74th minute by Stina Blackstenius
- Barcelona: 20 attempts, 12 corners
- Arsenal: 8 attempts, 2 corners
- Barcelona appeared in 6 finals in 7 years, winning 3 of last 4
- Arsenal's second Champions League title, first in 2007

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Arsenal ended Barcelona's dominance in women's football with a 1-0 victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League final, securing their second title since 2007. Stina Blackstenius scored the decisive goal, halting Barcelona's bid for a fourth European crown in seven years.

The Headline

Arsenal stuns Barcelona 1-0 to claim second Champions League title

"Amazing. We had to suffer a lot. They’re a top side. We knew coming into this game that we’d have to suffer and there would be moments when we wouldn’t have the ball and we would have to be content and happy with not having the ball knowing our moment would come. Our squad just wanted it so badly."

Alessia Russo

Arsenal forward

"I don't believe it, I'm going to f*****g cry. Sorry, I'm crying. This team has been together for a really long time and we've been working really, really hard to get to the next level."

Leah Williamson

Arsenal player

Key Facts

Arsenal, the 2007 champions, faced Barcelona in the UEFA Women's Champions League final on May 24, 2025, at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.
Barcelona dominated possession and had 20 attempts and 12 corners but managed only one shot on target in the first half and failed to convert chances.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal in the 74th minute, securing a 1-0 win for Arsenal and ending Barcelona's recent dominance.
Arsenal won their second Women's Champions League title, the only English women's side to be champions of Europe twice, adding to their 2007 victory.
Arsenal players expressed strong emotions after the win, with Alessia Russo calling it "amazing" and Leah Williamson saying she was moved to tears, highlighting the team's belief and hard work.

Key Stats at a Glance

Barcelona total attempts

20 attempts

Barcelona total corners

12 corners

Goal timing by Stina Blackstenius

74 minutes

Number of Women's Champions League titles won by Arsenal

2 titles

Barcelona's dominance and quest for third straight title

Barcelona team will be confident of adding yet another trophy to its overflowing cabinet in a season that has seen it clinch the Liga F title with games to spare.

Jonatan Giráldez

Barcelona coach

Absolutely devastated, I don't believe it. I just want to start the game again and do it differently. They had a game plan and they took advantage of their chances. The goal comes from a dead ball that we didn't defend well. Now we have to keep working hard and make sure what has happened here serves for us to improve in the future.

Aitana Bonmatí

Barcelona player

Key Facts

Barcelona Femeni aimed for a third consecutive UEFA Women's Champions League title in 2025, having won three of the past four tournaments.
Barcelona reached their sixth final in seven years, demonstrating their dominance in European women's football with three titles in the last four years.
Barcelona had a strong season, clinching the Liga F title with games to spare, boosting confidence ahead of the Champions League final.

Key Stats at a Glance

Barcelona finals appearances in seven years

6 finals

Barcelona shots on target in first half

1 shot

Barcelona clinched Liga F title with games to spare

1 title

Arsenal ends Barcelona's reign with 1-0 win to claim second Women's Champions League

Arsenal stuns Barcelona 1-0 to claim second Champions League title

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