Arsenal Wins Women’s Champions League, Upsets Barcelona in Lisbon

Arsenal, under the leadership of head coach Renée Slegers, achieved a stunning victory over Barcelona to win the Women’s Champions League, marking their first European title since 2007. Despite being major underdogs against a dominant Barcelona team featuring multiple Ballon d'Or winners, Arsenal executed a revised game plan with remarkable discipline and resilience, culminating in a 1-0 win thanks to substitute Stina Blackstenius' decisive goal. Slegers, who took permanent charge of Arsenal only months prior, praised her players for their belief, intensity, and ability to perform under pressure, highlighting how the team managed critical moments and momentum shifts throughout the match. This triumph not only ended Barcelona’s recent dominance but also saw Arsenal eliminate the winners of the last nine combined Champions League seasons on their path to glory. Slegers became the first Dutch manager to win the Women’s Champions League, underscoring her rapid and impactful rise in coaching. The victory was celebrated as a historic and transformative moment for Arsenal, with Slegers confident that even greater achievements lie ahead for the team.