Barcelona women’s retain champions league title on Saturday, beating Lyon 2-0 in the final in Bilbao, Spain.
Clearcut opportunities were few and far between in this cagey match as both teams’ defenses neutralized one other.
At the San Mamés Stadium, Aitana Bonmatí’s left-footed goal midway through the second half deflected into the Lyon goal to open the score.
In the dying seconds, Alèxia Putellas scored her 190th goal for the team to cap off an incredible triumph.
After winning the Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa de España titles previously this season, Barcelona’s third Women’s Champions League triumph completes an incredible quadruple for the Spanish powerhouse.
It solidifies Barça’s position as one of the top clubs in world soccer, which it has held for the previous few seasons.
After the game, Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze told broadcaster DAZN, “We knew we needed to be a club that made history.” “Winning once is tough, but Lyon demonstrated how hard it is to win consecutively.
“The team has at last accomplished that. We are among the greatest teams in Europe going down in history.
narrow profit margins of Barcelona women’s retain champions league title
The matchup pitted Europe’s two greatest teams against each other; Lyon has dominated the competition since winning it for the first time in 2011, while Barcelona has risen to prominence recently.
The match on Saturday marked the club’s 11th Women’s Champions League final, and its eight titles are double that of any other team.
Because the game was being played in Spain, the San Mamés stadium’s iconic red and blue hues created a feeling that made it feel like a home game for Barcelona.
The match was a nail-biter, with both teams displaying their defensive prowess and creating a tense atmosphere. The stakes were high, and every opportunity was fiercely contested.
After a tense first forty-five minutes, Barcelona created the finest chance to break the deadlock just before the interval.
However, defenders were caught off guard by Caroline Graham Hansen’s deft run, and the Norwegian international could only drag her shot past the post.
Wendie Renard failed to maintain her effort when Lyon had the opportunity to grab the lead against the run of play just a few minutes into the second half.
It required some wizardry to start the scoring when the two sides were separated by just two points.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, Bonmatí, showcased her exceptional skills as she elegantly danced into the Lyon box.
With a left-footed shot, she demonstrated her precision after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Mariona Caldentey. Her effort, even with a slight deflection off a defender, was a testament to her talent and sent the spectators into a frenzy.
Lyon now needs a goal to get back into the championship game after that goal seemed to kickstart it.
Despite Lyon’s pressure, Barcelona’s defense, the valiant Blaugrana, stood strong. Their resilience was commendable, and only a few last-minute saves prevented Lyon from equalizing, showcasing their determination and skill.
Ada Hegerberg, the star of Lyon, gave the team a physical target to play off. Still, Barcelona’s defense fielded a flurry of crosses, forcing the Norwegian striker to subsist on crumbs.
Putellas, who has struggled with injuries recently but is still a legend at Barcelona, rifled the ball into the top of the net to seal the win in stoppage time and start the celebrations as Lyon pressed. It was a storybook evening in Bilbao.
Barcelona had two Ballon d’Or Féminin winners in Bonmatí and Putellas, who demonstrated their ability to win matches to top off an incredible season.
Credit: CNN
