As the sun set over Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade, the 18-year wait was over. Arsenal had completed the seemingly impossible. They had beaten Barcelona to lift the 2024/2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
It was an encounter, Renée Slegers side had no business winning, up against all-conquering Barcelona, the Queens of Europe, who were looking for their third Champions League win in a row.
There is, however, a freedom that comes with being the underdog and Arsenal seized their opportunity. Despite a defensively poor end to the Barclays WSL season where they shipped 12 goals in three matches, the Gunners had had a fortnight to focus solely on how they could bring down the current holders.
Slegers opted for the starting XI that had served her so well in her short seven months in charge. Leah Williamson and Steph Catley were partnered at centre-back; Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey the same in midfield; Alessia Russo led the line with Chloe Kelly getting the nod over Beth Mead.
Arsenal started brightly, pressing their opposition aggressively with the front three setting the tone. They were successfully packing the centre of the field, forcing Barcelona into wide areas and preventing the rotations of their all-star midfield trio.
It was the Gunners, in fact, who had the better of the first half chances. Caitlin Foord nodded the ball across the face of goal, caught in two minds about what she was doing. Kelly volleyed over the bar from an unmarked position; Frida Maanum stung Cata Coll’s gloves from distance; and Little missed a shot from inside the box. They also had a goal ruled out – Irene Paredes was thanking her lucky stars that Maanum strayed offside in the build up after turning the ball into her own net.
Barcelona gained more momentum, as expected, in the second but Arsenal stuck to their task with admirable conviction. Williamson was having the game of her career; Catley got her body in front of everything in the box; and Foord was tireless in her tracking back to support Katie McCabe down the left side.
With Romeu’s side getting frustrated, Slegers went for the jugular bringing on fresh legs in the form of Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius. They both had an immediate impact, running directly at Barcelona’s defence and Paredes, in particular, who was on a yellow card. Seven minutes later, they had their breakthrough as Blackstenius fired home.
Barcelona huffed and puffed as they tried to find a way back into the game. The seven added minutes were agonising for anyone associated with the English team but finally the celebrations could begin. Arsenal were European Champions once again!
Stand Out Moment
73 minutes and 57 seconds! That was the moment Blackstenius made history in spectactular fashion. A patient Caldentey held her pass until she spotted Mead in a central position, shielded slightly from the Barcelona players by the position of the referee. With space to work in, the England international produced a sublime reverse pass to pick out the run of Blackstenius who broke the offside trap to fire home.
🇸🇪 Stina Blackstenius the difference maker in Lisbon ⚽️#UWCLPOTM || @VisaUK pic.twitter.com/XhDMbC7Cgd
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) May 25, 2025
Stand Out Performance
Williamson had the performance of her career at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. The game seem to move in slow motion for the centre-back as she shut down the like of Clàudia Pina and Ewa Pajor in Arsenal’s attack. Whether it was reading the play, getting the perfect timing on her tackles or release the pressure with her progressive passing range, the England international was a key part of the Gunner’s success in Lisbon.
Quote of the Day
“Years and years I’ve thought that choosing to support Arsenal when I was six has led me down this path and to this moment, and I play football to make myself and other people happy. As an Arsenal fan, I’m feeling that doubly today because I’m a player, but I am a fan, and I know what it’s going to mean to people that support Arsenal. I’ve always been proud to be part of the club and, today, forever more now.”
Leah Williamson, Arsenal
Teams
ARSENAL
Daphne van Domselaar; Emily Fox, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe; Kim Little (c), Mariona Caldentey; Frida Maanum; Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Caitlin Foord
Subs: Manuela Zinsberger; Naomi Williams; Lotte Wubben-Moy; Laia Codina; Beth Mead; Lia Wälti; Lina Hurtig; Victoria Pelova; Jenna Nighswonger; Stina Blackstenius; Amanda Ilestedt; Kyra Cooney-Cross
Manager: Renée Slegers
BARCELONA
Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, Fridolina Rolfö; Aitana Bonmatí, Patrí Guijarro, Alexia Putellas (c); Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina
Subs: Gemma Font; Ellie Roebuck; Jana Fernàndez; Salma Paralluelo; Marta Torrejón; Vicky López; Ingrid Engen; Esmée Brugts; Alba Caño; Sydney Schertenleib; Clara Serrajordi; Judit Pujols
Manager: Pere Romeu
