Barcelona fell short in their attempt to win three UEFA Women's Champions League titles in a row, falling to a single goal by Stina Blackstenius
Barcelona failed to make their possession pay, as they dominated the ball in Lisbon without making any clear-cut chances, ultimately falling to Blackstenius' smart finish in a 1-0 defeat.
Aitana Bonmati started brightly, driving Barcelona forward and forcing a smart save from Daphne van Domselaar in the Arsenal goal. While Barca enjoyed almost 65% of the ball in the first half, it was the Gunners that made the better chances. They thought they had the breakthrough after 25 minutes when Irene Paredes turned a Chloe Kelly cross into her own net. She was bailed out by VAR, though, with Kelly adjudged to be in an offside position.
Barcelona dominated the early goings of the second half without any clear sights at goal. A deflected Claudia Pina effort struck the bar, while Ona Batlle rattled some long distance shots narrowly past the frame of Van Domselaar's goal.
Even with mounting pressure, the warning signs were there for La Blaugrana. Arsenal broke with speed and purpose, at times requiring Leon and Paredes to make crucial interventions. On the 75th minute Putellas failed to effectively clear an Arsenal corner, allowing Mariona Caldentey to find Beth Mead at the edge of the Barcelona box. Again slow to react to the danger, the Barcelona defenders could only watch as Mead fed Blackstenius, who calmly slotted past Cata Coll.
The Gunners managed the game effectively, including during a lengthy period of seven minutes of stoppage time, to secure their first European crown in 18 years.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Jose Alvalade Stadium …
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Cata Coll (6/10):
Made a brilliant, acrobatic save to deny a long-rage Frida Maanum effort in the first half. Nothing she could do for the goal.
Fridolina Rolfo (5/10):
Pushed forward in the second half, making some intelligent passes behind the Arsenal back line.
Mapi Leon (6/10):
Caught on the ball and appeared to pick up an injury on an Arsenal breakaway. Had looked completely comfortable until that point.
Irene Paredes (5/10):
Will be thankful for the offside flag wiping off her own goal. Impressive recovery speed when Arsenal did get in behind Barca's high line.
Ona Batlle (6/10):
Repeated pot shots in the second half either flashed past the Arsenal goal or caused Van Domselaar little discomfort.
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Alexia Putellas (5/10):
Helped Barca exert control in the second half, but failed to clear the ball in the build-up to Blackstenius' goal. Will be frustrated she couldn't inspire a third UWCL trophy in a row.
Patri Guijarro (7/10)
Neat passing and constantly available. Crucial to Barca's control of the game.
Aitana Bonmatí (6/10):
Started brightly and flashed moments of brilliance throughout. Appeared frustrated when she fell short of her own impossibly-high standards.
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Claudia Pina (6/10):
Deflected effort almost looped into the Arsenal net early in the second half. Unlucky to be taken off on the hour mark.
Ewa Pajor (6/10):
Harried the Arsenal centre-backs, engineering some half-chances. Active in the box, but no real clear-cut opening to latch onto.
Caroline Graham Hansen (5/10):
Carried the ball with purpose and linked up nicely with Bonmatí. Some wasteful balls in the final third, though.
AFPSubs & Manager
Salma Paralluelo (5/10):
Failed to influence the game as a second-half sub.
Esme Brugts (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Ingrid Engen (N/A):
Brought on too late to be able to influence things.
Pere Romeu (5/10):
His team were comfortable but failed to make any really decisive chances. The one big intervention he made, replacing Pina for Paralluelo, fell flat.
