Arsenal stun Barcelona in Women's Champions League
Arsenal stun Barcelona in Women's Champions League
It is the second time the Gunners have won Europe's top competition. Photo: Reuters
Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as the London team shocked holders Barcelona 1-0 on Saturday to claim their second Women's Champions League title.
Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Sweden's Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when she latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead's reverse pass in a crowded penalty area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Catalina Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Renee Slegers's Gunners, who were making just their second appearance in the final in 18 years, having won Europe's top competition in 2007, held on for a stunning victory to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans.
The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team playing in their sixth final in seven years and who had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns.
Saturday's reverse was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions. (Reuters)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
7 days ago
- RTHK
Teenage Barca star Yamal signs new contract to 2031
Teenage Barca star Yamal signs new contract to 2031 Yamal has already made over 100 appearances for Barcelona. File photo: Reuters Barcelona's teenage star Lamine Yamal has signed a new contract until 2031 with the Catalan giants after a spectacular season. The 17-year-old winger is already one of the club's key players and helped them land a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. "Barcelona and Lamine Yamal have reached a deal to extend his contract to June 30, 2031," said the Catalan club in a statement. "Lamine Yamal's renewal is a demonstration of the solidity of Barca's project. His emergence on to the world football scene is like few others, and it began with his debut on April 29, 2023, still at the age of 15." Spanish media reported the new deal makes him one of Barcelona's best paid players. After triumphing at Euro 2024 with Spain last summer, Yamal scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists in 55 matches across all competitions during a sensational campaign. Operating on the right flank and a prodigious dribbler, Yamal's skill and speed contributed greatly to Barca netting 102 league goals this season as they reclaimed the crown from rivals Real Madrid. Yamal, who came through the club's feted La Masia youth academy and is often compared to all-time Barcelona great Lionel Messi, made his debut in 2023 under Xavi Hernandez at just 15. By the end of the 2023-24 campaign he had emerged as the team's main attacking weapon, the bright spot in a poor campaign where Barca finished empty-handed. Following his exploits at the Euros, Yamal fitted Flick's attacking style to perfection and adding more consistency, showed he has become one of the world's best players. Yamal put in two brilliant Champions League semi-final performances against Inter Milan but his team were edged 7-6 on aggregate and must wait to end their European drought. "I will keep my promise and I will bring (the Champions League trophy) to Barcelona, we will not stop until we get it," pledged Yamal after the game. Despite his youth, the winger has already played over 100 times for Barcelona. Yamal, who turns 18 in July, follows team-mate Raphinha and coach Flick in signing contact extensions in the last few days. Spanish media report his contract includes various bonuses for different achievements, including winning the Ballon d'Or, as well as a significant pay rise. Yamal is a candidate to win the trophy for the world's best player this year. (AFP)
South China Morning Post
27-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Why are Manchester United playing in Hong Kong? Ex-stars debate ‘mad' tour
Tours to the Far East by English Premier League teams may offer commercial windfalls but are much less appealing to players, former stars of three of this summer's visiting clubs have said. Advertisement Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann described as 'mad' this week's Manchester United post-season tour to Asia, days after United lost the Europa League final and completed a dismal domestic season. Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness said he would not have been in favour as a player, while ex-United defender Raphael Varane said it was vital to 'give some rest' as his old side's weary squad prepared to trek to Malaysia and Hong Kong. Arsenal and Liverpool will play in Hong Kong in July. Raphael Varane at this month's Soccer Sevens. Photo: HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens Varane, whose glittering career was ended by injury last year aged 31, said clubs' packed schedules took a toll. United played 59 matches this season before an Asian trip that will reportedly earn them £8 million (US$10.8 million). The Frenchman conceded the games – in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday against Asean All-Stars and at Hong Kong Stadium on Friday against the city's representative team – were 'incredible from a marketing point of view and a brilliant chance to connect with the fans'. 'Let's say the truth, though … the problem is the global calendar, which is not sustainable for the players,' he said after watching this month's HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens. Advertisement 'They're giving joy to the fans, and they want to be capable of performing at 100 per cent to give the best show possible. When you're playing too many games and travelling too much, you're not in good condition.' With a 32-team Club World Cup being introduced this summer, Varane said: 'We should find a way to listen more to the players.'
RTHK
25-05-2025
- RTHK
Lewandowski passes century as Barca sign off in style
Lewandowski passes century as Barca sign off in style Lewandowski scored twice to pass a century of goals for Barcelona. Photo: AFP La Liga champions Barcelona celebrated a successful season with a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in their final match, with Robert Lewandowski netting twice to pass his 100 goal milestone for the club. The veteran Polish forward, 36, reached 27 league goals for the season, although he finished behind Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe on 31. Barcelona wrapped up a domestic treble with Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cups wins, while fourth-place Athletic also had a fine season and returned to the Champions League for the first time in 11 years. Athletic defender Oscar de Marcos made his 570th and final appearance for the club, behind only Jose Angel Iribar, a goalkeeper who played 614 times in the 1960s and 70s, in the club's history. Even Iribar might not have saved Lewandowski's opener after the striker was fed by Fermin Lopez, brilliantly scooping over current Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon to put Barca ahead and rack up the Catalans' 100th league goal of the season. It also brought up a century of goals for Lewandowski in a Barcelona shirt since joining in 2022 from Bayern Munich, and another was soon to follow. Three minutes later Lewandowski nodded in at the back post after a corner was flicked into his path. "I am very happy, very proud to be part of this team, this club, it's been something amazing," Lewandowski said. "I try to do my best, not only with goals but my attitude on and off the pitch. There are so many young players and we have to take care of them." "We did something great (this season) but we know we can still do a lot (more) things," he added. Lewandowski missed two good chances in the second half as Barca tried to stretch their lead and sign off in style. In the Barcelona goal, Inaki Pena showed sharp reactions to tip a ball against the bar as a Pau Cubarsi deflection headed towards his own goal. Barcelona's 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal forced a smart save at his near post from Simon. The Catalans got their third when Dani Olmo won and then converted a penalty in stoppage time. After the game De Marcos gave a speech to fans at the San Mames and was thrown into the air by his team-mates. "I just want to thank everyone who has been there on (my) path," said the 36-year-old defender, who played 16 seasons at the club. "Next season I will be in the stands, as just another Athletic fan. "And I am sure that someone who is watching today, will be here on the pitch, representing us as Athletic." Earlier, Alexander Sorloth showed once again why he is such a dangerous option off the bench for Atletico Madrid as he came on to score a hat-trick in under half-an-hour in a 4-0 win at Girona. Diego Simeone's side continued their Club World Cup preparations in a dead rubber league match at Montilivi, with Atletico locked into third place and Girona safe from relegation. Introduced in the 62nd minute for Antoine Griezmann, Sorloth broke the deadlock after 68 minutes. Clement Lenglet extended Atletico's lead before Sorloth struck two more late on to reach 20 La Liga goals, 12 of those as a substitute. Sorloth hit four goals earlier this month against Real Sociedad, with the first three of those scored by the 11th minute, making it the earliest hat-trick in La Liga history. "La Liga is over but not the season," said Simeone, looking ahead. "We will rest now and from June 2 get back to training to focus on the Club World Cup." (AFP)
