Arsenal produced certainly one of their nice performances in European soccer to finish Barcelona’s reign and carry the UEFA Girls’s Champions League for the primary time in 18 years.
A single objective from Stina Blackstenius, scored with medical precision simply seven minutes after she got here on as a sub within the the second half, secured a 1-0 win in Lisbon and confirmed Renee Slegers’ facet as champions of Europe for the second time within the membership’s historical past.
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The sport’s defining second got here within the 74th minute. Beth Mead, launched from the bench, drifted centrally and threaded an clever reverse move behind the Barca defence. Blackstenius, getting into area, took one contact earlier than placing it low throughout Cata Coll and into the far nook.
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Barcelona had dictated the tempo for a lot of the match, monopolising possession in acquainted style, however Arsenal had been beautifully organised and tactically disciplined. On the coronary heart of their defence was Daphne van Domselaar, whose second-half save from Salma Paralluelo was a match-winning one. When Claudia Pina struck the bar early within the second interval, it was the closest Barcelona got here.
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Talking after the match, Renee Slegers : “We knew it was going to be a sport the place momentum shifts as a result of we respect Barcelona, who they’re, and the way good they’re on the ball. However we additionally know the way good we’re. We knew momentum was going to shift. Possibly different individuals had been considering one thing else however that’s what we believed.
“We spoke about getting by means of the primary 10-20 minutes and managing the sport as a result of they usually come out quick. They got here right here assured and with all respect, we needed to handle that part of the sport. In all of the phases that occurred we confirmed the mentality, the resilience, the effectiveness in all our actions and the assumption was unbelievable.
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“It means a lot to the membership. They’ve been world main in so many issues in girls’s soccer that they deserve it. Not solely this yr however a few years earlier than so it’s incredible.”
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Arsenal captain Kim Little, chatting with TNT Sports activities, stated “It felt like our yr and the sport immediately was the identical factor. We performed the sport we wished and it went our method.
“Clearly within the different video games we had two legs so we had time to regulate. At the moment, we knew it was one sport and we needed to execute our gameplan. The entire workforce did that and I’m extremely proud.”
On Arsenal’s ways, she added, “Alternative ways of enjoying – most of occasions we prefer to possess the ball, however immediately we knew that we wouldn’t have the ball as a lot.”
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“It’s one thing we discuss so much,” Little stated in regards to the subs who had such an impression. “Solely 11 can begin, however we have now an unbelievable squad and that was proven immediately.”
On lifting the Champions League trophy for the primary time, Little stated, “I haven’t thought of that but. Clearly it makes it extra particular and at membership stage to win that trophy. To carry it with Leah [Williamson] whose been a childhood Gunner – it was an unbelievable second.”
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati chatting with Spanish tv channel TV3: “I don’t imagine it. I simply need to begin the sport once more and do it otherwise. However that is soccer. It will serve us to return again stronger subsequent yr.
“We had been not so good as we often are within the first half. We had been extra snug after the break, however I’ve to congratulate Arsenal for his or her efficiency. They’d their sport plan they usually took benefit of their probabilities.
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“Personally, this hurts me so much. It’s robust. It’s arduous trying on the stands and seeing all of the supporters. It jogs my memory of Turin (when Barca misplaced their final closing).
“It’s a useless ball and we didn’t defend it properly. Within the different space, these of us in assault must take our probabilities. We’re actually sorry, we gave the whole lot. We weren’t at our greatest and soccer penalises you whenever you’re not. Now we have now to maintain working arduous and what’s occurred in Lisbon has to serve to enhance sooner or later.
“A big a part of the disappointment and frustration I’ve is for the followers which have come. I’m actually sorry. We shall be again.”
For Arsenal, this was an evening of vindication. 18 years after Alex Scott scored within the closing in opposition to Umeå, they’re European champions as soon as extra. In doing so, they develop into the one English membership to have lifted the trophy twice. Or as soon as, for that matter.
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That it got here in opposition to the preeminent facet of the trendy period, winners of two of the final three titles, – after dumping out Actual Madrid and Lyon – solely underscores the magnitude of the achievement.
Over 9,000 Arsenal supporters made the journey to Lisbon. They are going to return with greater than recollections. They return with historical past.
