Arsenal stun Barcelona to win Women’s Champions League in historic upset
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Arsenal pulled off one of the greatest shocks in Women’s Champions League history on Saturday, defeating Barcelona 1-0 in the final to clinch their second European title — 18 years after their first.
Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius was the hero for the Gunners, coming off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 75th minute. The substitute latched onto a pinpoint pass from Beth Mead before calmly slotting a low finish past Barcelona goalkeeper Catalina Coll.
Barcelona, overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy for a third consecutive year, were left stunned despite dominating possession and recording 20 shots. The reigning champions had dismantled WSL treble-winners Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals and looked poised to continue their European reign.
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But Arsenal, under the stewardship of manager Renee Slegers, produced a disciplined and courageous performance to defy the odds. The London club soaked up pressure for much of the match and limited the Spanish giants to few clear-cut opportunities in the box.
Arsenal Women, Champions of Europe AGAIN!!!!#UWCL #UWCLfinal #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/PZa38QLxSd
— Arsenal Marcus (@mbosowomarcus) May 24, 2025
Saturday’s triumph marks Arsenal’s first Champions League title since 2007 — and they remain the only English club to win Europe’s premier women’s competition.
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The victory is all the more remarkable given Arsenal’s turbulent start to the season. The Gunners won just one of their opening four Women’s Super League games and suffered a humbling 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage. Jonas Eidevall stepped down as manager in October, with Slegers initially taking charge on an interim basis. A turnaround in form earned her the role permanently in January.
Arsenal’s Champions League campaign has been one of resilience and revival. After a 2-0 first-leg defeat away to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Slegers’ side roared back with a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. In the semi-finals, they again had to recover from a first-leg deficit — this time overturning a 2-1 home loss to Lyon with a stunning 4-1 victory in France.
Despite Barcelona’s territorial dominance in the final, it was Arsenal who seized their moment — and etched their name once again into European football history.
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