Arsenal Stun Barcelona to win ladies Champions League final

Arsenal drew a large upset of a 1-0 win against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday.

The Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius, on as a replacement for the second half, scored the winner in the 75th minute when she was selected with an excellent pass by Beth Mead before she ended up past Barcelona goalkeeper Catalina Coll.

The Gunners had to defend for large parts of the match against a Barcelona team who were tough favorites to win the Champions League for the third year after having hammer Chelsea, who won the Domestic Treble this season, with an 8-2 total victory in the semi-final.

Arsenal won the Women’s Champions League in 2007 and remained the only English club that has lifted the trophy.

But the performance of Arsenal in Europe this season is even more remarkable in view of their rocky start of the campaign, making them only one of their opening of Four Women’s Super League matches and suffer a heavy 5-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Jonas Eidevall resigned in October as a manager and Renee Sleesers was appointed as an interim replacement, but a revival of the form led the 36-year-old to get the job permanently in January.

But even though they get their WSL season back on the right track, a deep run in the Champions League looked unlikely after a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.

Slagerszijde organized an impressive comeback in the return bone in the Emirates Stadium with a 3-0 win to continue to the semi-final.

Arsenal was forced to come back from behind after a 2-1 defeat at home at eight times winners Lyon in the first stage of semi-final, and a 4-1 victory in the return bone in France booked their place in the final against Barcelona.

The Catalan club dominated for large parts of the game in Saturday’s final and had 20 shots on goal, but a resilient arsenal display limited their clear opportunities in the box.

Leah Williamson delivered a brilliant performance in the heart of Arsenal’s back line against the Polish striker Ewa Pajor, who scored 41 goals in her debut season for Barcelona.

‘Much of this team has been together for a long time and to be able to do it in the biggest day. Some people had the game of their lives. I am so happy, “said Williamson after the victory of Arsenal.

‘We changed the game plan a bit during the week because we wanted to feel more confident and that has paid off.

“In the first half we had opportunities and I don’t think people believe how good they were. We said: “Second half we only need one chance” and Stina took it. ‘

Arsenal thought they had taken the lead in the first half when Frida Maanum delivered a low cross and the ball was converted by Irene Paredes into her own network.

However, a VAR check revealed that Maanum had gone too early and was offside.

Arsenal was forced to defend deep after the break and capital letter with a fast move that was perfectly finished by Blackstenius.

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