Arsenal pulled off a stunning upset in Lisbon to defeat Barcelona and secure their first UEFA Women’s Champions League title in 18 years, in a night that will be remembered as one of the greatest in the club’s history.
Stina Blackstenius delivered the decisive moment, scoring the only goal of the match to sink the European giants and hand the Gunners a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Coming off the bench, the Swedish striker latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from fellow substitute Beth Mead, took a single touch, and calmly slotted the ball past Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll from just inside the box.
Arsenal came into the final as clear underdogs, facing a Barcelona side that had dominated the competition in recent years, winning three of the last four editions. The Spanish champions, featuring two-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, were expected to retain their crown. But they were met with a fearless and disciplined Arsenal side who refused to be overawed by the occasion.
The Gunners had an early scare ruled out by VAR when Barcelona’s Irene Paredes accidentally turned the ball into her own net, only for the goal to be disallowed due to an offside in the build-up. Still, Arsenal looked the more threatening side throughout the first half, with Frida Maanum testing Coll with a fierce long-range strike and captain Kim Little missing a golden opportunity from a corner.
Barcelona tried to wrestle back control in the second half, with Ewa Pajor hitting the crossbar and Ona Batlle forcing saves from distance. But Arsenal’s backline stood resolute, throwing themselves in front of every threatening shot and silencing the loud Barcelona contingent in the Estadio José Alvalade.
This emotional triumph completes a fairytale season for Arsenal, who began the campaign amid fan unrest and managerial instability. After the resignation of former boss Jonas Eidevall, interim manager Renee Slegers took over and was eventually appointed permanently in January. Her leadership has been transformative, steering the team through a tough group stage and guiding them all the way from the first round of qualifying to European champions, a feat no other club has managed in this format.
Slegers asked for courage from her squad, and they delivered in spectacular fashion. From overcoming Real Madrid in the quarter-finals to dethroning record eight-time winners Lyon in the semis, Arsenal’s path to the final was nothing short of extraordinary. But their final act, toppling one of the most formidable teams in women’s football, will go down in history.
Thousands of Arsenal fans had gathered on Lisbon’s Pink Street before the match, chanting songs and wearing shirts bearing the names of heroes like Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, and Kim Little. The energy was electric, and their belief never wavered.
Blackstenius, known for moments of brilliance mixed with inconsistency, chose the perfect time to etch her name in the club’s folklore. While she missed a golden opportunity just moments earlier, her composed finish will be the one remembered, alongside her League Cup-winning strike against Chelsea in 2024 and her semi-final heroics against Manchester City in 2023.
As the final whistle blew, scenes of jubilation erupted. Players collapsed to their knees, staff sprinted onto the pitch, and thousands of travelling fans roared in celebration. It was a moment of pure emotion and redemption.
For Barcelona, the loss was deeply painful. Aitana Bonmati was visibly emotional, later telling Spanish TV she was “devastated” and wishing she could replay the game. Alexia Putellas echoed the sentiment, admitting the team couldn’t reach their usual level and expressing regret for their fans who made the trip from Spain.
But for Arsenal, it was a night that reminded Europe of their pedigree, a return to the summit that echoed the glories of 2007. Against all odds, Arsenal are European champions again. And under Renee Slegers, this could be just the beginning of a new golden era.
