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Barcelona Overcomes Lyon for Women’s Champions League Title |
For the first time, the titleholders overcame the French titans, reversing their losses in the 2019 and 2022 finals, culminating in a remarkable quadruple this season under coach Jonatan Giraldez in his final game
Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas scored, leading Barcelona to their third Women’s Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over Lyon, the eight-time champions, on Saturday.
For the first time, the titleholders overcame the French titans, reversing their losses in the 2019 and 2022 finals, culminating in a remarkable quadruple this season under coach Jonatan Giraldez in his final game.
Bonmati broke the deadlock at the 63-minute mark, and Putellas, coming off the bench, sealed the win in the dying moments, rectifying Barcelona's previous losses to Sonia Bompastor’s team.
With their third Champions League win out of five finals in the last six years, Barcelona has established themselves as the dominant force in women's football.
The Barca team was confident they could defeat Lyon this time, blending experience and mental fortitude with their natural skill, which they demonstrated in front of a full San Mames stadium.
Cheered on by most of the record 51,000 attendees at a Women’s Champions League final, Bonmati and her teammates conquered one of their last remaining hurdles.
“We've finally overcome Lyon, and I'm filled with pride for our team. With our supporters behind us, we're unstoppable,” Bonmati shared with DAZN.
“The journey we're on is extraordinary. I feel so fortunate... We're making history for so many, and the unprecedented fan turnout is my greatest source of pride. I wouldn't trade this for anything,” she added.
Giraldez opted for Mariona Caldentey upfront and positioned Fridolina Rolfo as left-back, leaving Ona Batlle and double Ballon d’Or recipient Putellas on the bench.
Lyon also benched Ada Hegerberg, the competition's highest-ever scorer, due to a dip in form post-injury.
Lucy Bronze inadvertently sent the ball towards her own crossbar, and Lyon’s captain Wendie Renard struck the post, causing early worries for Barcelona.
Unlike their four-goal deficit at half-time in the 2019 final and three in 2022, the Catalans this time successfully fortified their defense.
Barca increasingly posed a threat. Patri Guijarro, a double scorer in the previous year’s final against Wolfsburg, had a significant opportunity after 30 minutes.
Christiane Endler thwarted her angled attempt, and Selma Bacha cleared the rebound off the line.
Caroline Graham Hansen, who's been in exceptional form, troubled Bacha and made Renard, an 11-time finalist, retreat in uncertainty towards the end of the first half, although her shot missed the mark.
Barcelona capitalized on their prowess past the hour when Bonmati took the lead.
The Ballon d’Or laureate, though subdued, timed her run perfectly to receive Caldentey’s astute pass and charge into the box.
Bonmati’s attempt ricocheted off Vanessa Gilles and soared past the stranded Endler, marking her sixth and most pivotal goal of the competition.
Lyon’s top scorer Kadidiatou Diani narrowly missed, and Hegerberg sent a header wide as Lyon’s opportunities dwindled.
Finally, Putellas, donning the captain’s armband as a late replacement, clinched the match by blasting into the top corner, triggering Barcelona’s festivities ahead of time.
