They wanted a third consecutive Champions League win, but Arsenal Women ultimately edged out Barça Women 1-0, who were supported tremendously by well over 15,000 blaugrana fans watching on in Lisbon.

Coach Pere Romeu selected what could be considered his strongest side, including this season’s WCL top scorer Claudia Pina, but they came up against an Arsenal side who had already showed their mettle in the competition, putting out last season’s losing finalists to the blaugranes OL Lyonnais in the semi-final.

Arsenal start well before Barça grow into the game

In a match played in 27 degree heat in the Portuguese capital, a good start by the English side prompted the vast number of blaugrana fans inside the José Alvalade stadium to get straight into action too, whistling loudly whenever Arsenal had the ball.

Barça soon settled into their passing style and the first fruits of their efforts seeded mayhem in their opponent’s box after nine minutes. All the same, Arsenal were threatening most, Foord first heading wide, before her cross was blazed over by Kelly.

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The blaugranes were in control but clear cut chances were few and far between, and there was a scare when Irene Paredes diverted the ball into the net past Cata Coll, but the Arsenal goal was ruled out for an offside earlier in the play. Coll was then called into action, making an excellent one-handed save from a Maanum shot on 27 minutes.

Pina was showing why she deserved her place in the starting line-up, both in defence and attack, and she was only denied by great defending by Williamson with 10 minutes left in the half. All to play for at half-time with the score 0-0.

All Barça after the break but Arsenal with decisive moment

The blaugranes came out for the second half with real purpose, and Pina had two shots within the first five minutes, the second of which was deflected onto the crossbar. It was then Batlle’s turn to try her luck, three times in fact, going close past the post and over the bar.

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Arsenal were standing up well to incessant pressure from the blaugranes and a great team move on 69 minutes saw Rolfö cross the ball in from the left that Catley managed to clear with Pajor close by.

However, a misplaced pass in defence saw Coll have to save from Arsenal substitute Blackstenius, with Paredes defending well against the same player just a minute later. The resulting corner saw the ball recycled and Blackstenius herself was found in the box to shoot low to Coll’s right to open the scoring (1-0, 74 min.).

Barça kept up the pressure and remained true to their style, but Arsenal stood firm, helped by fresh legs from their substitutes and some good saves from Van Domselaar, and the dream of retaining the Champions League was over. Final score. Arsenal Women 1-0 Barça Women.

The team can be proud of their efforts in Europe’s premier club competition this season, and one thing is for sure, this group of winners will already be chomping at the bit to try to win the trophy again next year! Som-hi!

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    MATCH STATS

    Arsenal 1
    Barça 0

    Arsenal: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Maanum (Blackstenius 67'), Little, Mariona, Kelly (Mead 67'), Russo (Wubben-Moy 91') and Foord (Hurtig 86').

    Barça: Cata Coll, Batlle, Paredes, María León (Engen 78'), Rolfö (Brugts 78'), Patri, Aitana, Alexia, Graham, Pajor and Pina (Paralluelo 62').

    Goals: 1-0, Stina Blackstenius (min. 75); 

    Referee: Ivana Martincic. Yellow cards for Irene Paredes and Salma Paralluelo from Barça and Chloe Kelly from Arsenal.

    Força Barça