Alessia Russo promises more after making history in Champions League triumph
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Arsenal forward Alessia Russo declared that the Gunners are “just getting started” after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, clinching the club’s second European title.
Stina Blackstenius, introduced as a second-half substitute, became the hero with a 74th-minute strike, sealing a historic win for Arsenal against a dominant Barcelona side that had claimed the trophy in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
The triumph marks Arsenal’s first Champions League victory since their historic quadruple-winning 2007 campaign, reinforcing their status as the only English club to conquer Europe in the women’s game. The win also guarantees them direct entry into next season’s Champions League league phase, alongside WSL champions Chelsea.
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Russo, who played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s European campaign, expressed her elation after the final whistle.
HOMECOMING 🏆 pic.twitter.com/G2Z2MV7stE
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 26, 2025
“I’m absolutely buzzing,” she said. “I can’t really put it into words—it just feels bloody amazing. It feels surreal right now, but I just had so much belief going into this game. We all did. We knew we could, and we just had to go and deliver.”
The victory also secures Arsenal a place in next year’s inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, where they will enter as automatic semi-finalists. But for Russo, this is only the beginning.
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“When you win things, you want to win even more,” she added. “Now we want to compete domestically more than we did this year, and we want to be back winning this trophy again.”
Arsenal’s journey to glory was far from straightforward. They became the first team in history to reach the final after starting in qualifying round one, overcoming adversity both on and off the pitch.
For Alessia Russo and her England teammates, focus now shifts to international duty, with a Nations League clash against Portugal at Wembley on Friday. But for Arsenal, this victory is a statement—one that promises even greater success to come.
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