Arsenal defuses a slow and lackluster Barça that loses its reign in Europe.

Aitana Bonmatí 's tears on the José Alvalade pitch in Lisbon had many interpretations. They were of sadness, because the Champions League final had slipped away. Also of anger, because they had fallen into the English trap. Even of helplessness for not having found a way out in time. Barça was defeated by a goal from Blackstenius in the 74th minute in an awkward and drawn-out duel that prevented them from fully realizing their potential. They were at the mercy of an Arsenal side that had not touched European glory for 19 years and that, humbly, knew how to play their game perfectly.

Barça was seeking its fourth Champions League title, its third in a row, and a possible four titles in a single season, but it failed to make its Ballon d'Or triumph shine, nor did the supporting stars who are also the soul of this overwhelming team in Spain led by Pere Romeu . Mariona Caldentey warned them: they weren't going to Lisbon to experience a final, they were going to compete in it.

Arsenal knew very well how to unhinge a team accustomed, perhaps excessively, to overpowering opponents. They used extremely high pressure, organized play, and were forceful in midfield duels, to the point of suffocation. If Barça's engine seizes up, its power diminishes, as Patri Guijarro , Aitana , and Alexia struggled to get into the game while the English players grew. They took their time, but kept solid footing to avoid making mistakes.

Aitana caused some trouble in the opening minutes, and Polish striker Ewa Pajor looked for Van Domselaar 's mistake, which she almost capitalized on. Barça weren't connecting much but were capable of creating sparks. Arsenal, however, remained steady and began to find a way into Cata Coll 's area, almost always clear down the right flank. It was captain Little who sent a cross to the far post for Foord to head home, but Foord couldn't connect comfortably. The Blaugrana were eager to respond, either lacking precision or held back by effective decisiveness, such as Williamson's save from Aitana after cutting inside the box. Van Domselaar was also different, punching away a cross from Claudia Pina .

Barça were looking to wake up, but the Gunners were working hard to tie them down, never giving up counterattacks that were close to being productive. A tense cross from Frida Maanum , once again outwitting Rolfö , was deflected into the back of the net by Irene Paredes. Fortunately, the VAR review found the Norwegian offside, which made Cata Coll fly to save another right-footed shot. They couldn't find a way to shake off a sticky team that trapped them in attack and broke them down in defense.

It was Aitana who, half an hour into the match, stepped up. She charged forward, found a path into the box, and although her shot fell into the goalkeeper's hands, she brought the entire team to life and pinned the opponent back in their own half. Alexia emerged, connecting with Pina on the left wing and Ewa Pajor, whom Williamson understood he had to keep an eye on. Danger was beginning to arrive in waves for the Londoners.

Without success

That feeling only increased in the second half. The Blaugrana returned from the locker room fired up and determined to impose their style of play, the kind that saw Alexia and Aitana meet in the box to set up Claudia Pina for a shot that crashed off the crossbar . Everything came at double speed to trouble the English, who were forced to act as a wall, and Ona Batlle was able to take advantage of their clearances with her right-footed shots from the edge of the box. Barça was starting to enjoy themselves, and that was reflected in Van Domselaar 's need to save every ball from Aitana, searching for the right post.

Renée Slegers then made changes to the bench to return to the initial plan. Arsenal, with little involvement from Mariona and their top scorer Alessia Russo , took refuge in counterattacks that arose from the Catalan team's errors. Cata Coll's foot prevented the English forward from putting Arsenal ahead after she launched herself into a run, and not even Mapi León , who ended up injured, could stop her, and Irene Paredes only managed to make it difficult for her in the one-on-one.

The Balearic goalkeeper could do nothing when, in the 74th minute, Mead , comfortably in the middle of the field, slipped a ball past the Swede Blackstenius to score the first goal of the final. Arsenal had survived the fruitless dominance of Barça and had dealt a blow that weighed like a stone impossible to lift.