Arsenal ‘ladies saved the club' after Champions League crown, says Wright
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright said the women's team has saved the north London club after it beat defending champions Barcelona 1-0 on Saturday to win its second Champions League title after an 18-year wait.
Renee Slegers' Arsenal, featuring in its first Champions League final since lifting the trophy in 2007, held firm to deny favourites Barcelona a third consecutive European crown.
Arsenal withstood a flurry of chances from Barcelona before forward Stina Blackstenius struck a winner in the 75th minute, to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon.
'The ladies have saved the club. We've got something to celebrate,' Wright said, adding that Arsenal should hold a parade in north London for its Champions League win.
'They have beaten Barcelona in the Champions League, no one gave them a chance. Even I was saying it was going to be tough because they average four goals a game.
'The embarrassment of not getting anything this season when we played so well with the men,' he said. The women 'deserve everything they are getting, all the accolades because this is a magnificent achievement.'
Barcelona was playing in its sixth final in seven years, with a team widely regarded as the best in the world, featuring Ballon d'Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, two of the most influential midfielders in the women's game.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
31 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Miami missing Alba for Club World Cup opener
Inter Miami will be without their Spanish international left back Jordi Alba for the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday against Egypt's Al Ahly. Miami coach Javier Mascherano told a press conference on Friday that the former Barcelona defender would have to sit out the Group A match at Hard Rock Stadium. In another blow for the Major League Soccer club, defensive midfielder Yannick Bright has also been ruled out of the opener for the 32-team tournament. "Jordi and Yannick are not available for this game but hopefully they will be for the second game," said the Argentine coach. Miami will play Porto on Thursday in Atlanta before closing out the group stage against Brazil's Palmeiras back in South Florida. Alba, who has a leg muscle injury, will be a major absence for Mascherano not only for his defensive abilities but for his role as one of the main providers of quality service to Lionel Messi. Bright has delivered some physical presence to the midfield alongside the wily but ageing Sergio Busquets. "Obviously we would have loved to have everyone fit for this game and have our full roster, that would allow us to be stronger," added Mascherano. Despite the setbacks, the former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder said his team were relishing the challenge of playing on the international stage. "This is a unique competition and we are privileged to be a part of it. We are here thanks to what we did last year and I think it is a huge opportunity to test each other out and see what our level is," he added. Miami were handed a place in the tournament as the representative of the host nation thanks to winning the MLS Supporters' Shield which is awarded for the team with the best regular season record. However Miami did not finish as champions of MLS, losing to Atlanta in the first-round of the playoffs while the Los Angeles Galaxy went out to win MLS Cup. There was some surprise when media arrived at the venue and the markings were not yet in place on the field with some work being carried out on the surface. "Let's hope it is in optimal condition, in this I think FIFA is well experienced but as I always say, we concentrate on things we can control," said the Miami coach. sev/rcw
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Storm make first visit to short-handed Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries are expected to be without three key players when they host the Seattle Storm on Saturday night in the continuation of the Commissioner's Cup in San Francisco. Among those expected to be away from the team at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 for potentially more than two weeks is Janelle Salaun of France. Salaun contributed 21 points for Golden State in an 89-81 overtime road victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday. The win improved the Valkyries' record in Commissioner's Cup play to 2-2 with two games remaining in conference play. Julie Vanloo, who made her second start against the Sparks, will play for Belgium in the EuroBasket tournament, while Cecilia Zandalasini, who had 18 points in the Valkyries' most recent home game a 95-68 thrashing of the Las Vegas Aces will represent Italy. FIBA EuroBasket 2025, critical for European national teams attempting to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, concludes June 29. "We have a plan. You have to be ready," said Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, whose team added veteran free agent Aerial Powers to fill one of the roster vacancies. "Obviously we want them to go with their heart. We're supporting if they want to go to Eurobasket; we're supporting if they want to stay." The Valkyries' roster also includes England native Temi Fagbenle and Carla Leite of France. Leite is expected to remain with Golden State, while Fagbenle is on England's roster, but neither she nor the Valkyries have announced her intentions. The Storm seem to have survived the exporting of WNBA talent, with Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga, a pair of French standouts, electing to stay with the club. Seattle gained the upper hand in the Western Conference standings of the Commissioner's Cup at 3-1 with a 94-84 home win over the previously unbeaten Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday. The win was the third in a row for Seattle . The Storm and Lynx currently are tied for the West's top spot in the Cup standings, with Seattle owning the tiebreaker edge. Each team has two games remaining, with the conference's top club earning a spot in the Cup finals on July 1. Seattle's visit to San Francisco will be its first in the Valkyries' inaugural season. It serves as a homecoming of sorts for former Stanford star Nneka Ogwumike, who had a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in the win over Minnesota. The 14-year WNBA veteran, a Texas native, recognizes her decision to attend Stanford was life changing. "I'm from Houston, so I'm Southern, I'm officially a West Coast girl," Ogwumike said. "I've been in the Bay , I've been in L.A. , and now I'm in the PNW . The West Coast just feels good for me." Field Level Media
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"My Decision Shows...": Matheus Cunha's Big Statement After Joining Manchester United
Matheus Cunha says he is determined to help Manchester United bounce back from their worst league season in 51 years after becoming the club's first major signing of the transfer window. The 20-time English champions are undergoing a rebuild under Ruben Amorim after limping home 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to fellow strugglers Tottenham. Defeat in Bilbao cost them Champions League qualification, meaning United will spend a first season without European football since 2014/15. But the Red Devils' issues did not deter Brazil international Cunha, who completed his £62.5 million ($85 million) switch from Wolves on Thursday. "It is the most common phrase that you can say at this moment, but this is the dream come true," the 26-year-old told MUTV. "Maybe outside, I think maybe my decision, they don't understand. But when you have always dreamed to play here, it's easier to pick this decision. "For me, no one else is like United. Of course, I know it's been a hard season for everyone. I think my decision shows what this club is for me and what I believe this club can be. "And, of course, I'll do everything that I can to manage this inside of me, to play for my dream team and put my dream team to win." Cunha followed United growing up and spoke of his admiration for Wayne Rooney, along with many other members of the triumphant 2008 Champions League side. The Red Devils have tumbled out of Europe's elite in recent years but the forward has lofty ambitions. "I don't think we have one player who comes here and then doesn't think about the glory days in Man United," Cunha said. "To remember all the times that they win the Premier League, how many titles it was, and of course to qualify for the Champions League. This is what I think about United, you know to put this club on top. "Then what I can do is everything to show them I'm here to help the team, to conquer these kind of things." Cunha scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season, winning the Premier League club's players' player of the year award. He will add his predatory instincts and creative guile to a United attack that struggled throughout this season. The striker helped his country qualify for the World Cup earlier this week when he set up the only goal for Vinicius Junior in a 1-0 win over Paraguay.
