Sports

Valiant Arsenal Shock Barca To Win Women’s Champions League

Published

12 months ago

May 24, 2025

Arsenal produced a shock 1-0 victory over Barcelona to win the women’s Champions League on Saturday in Lisbon, with Stina Blackstenius’ goal earning the Gunners their second European crown against the odds.

The Swedish striker’s drilled effort in the 74th minute allowed Renee Slegers’ team to dethrone a feted Barcelona side who had won the trophy three times in the previous four seasons.

Arsenal, back in the final for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2007, outplayed Barca in the first half and staved them off in the second, before Blackstenius struck on the counter-attack.

The only British Champions League winners showed their mettle in a superb victory over record eight-time winners Lyon in the semi-final and they stopped Pere Romeu’s Barca from claiming the trophy for a third consecutive season.

Spanish champions Barcelona probed in the opening stages under a fierce Lisbon sun, with Arsenal struggling to track two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati’s darting movement.

Arsenal coach Sleger brought Dutch compatriot Daphne van Domselaar back in goal and she scrambled away crosses to keep her team afloat early on.

The Gunners struck midway through the first half when Irene Paredes tried to cut out a cross and diverted the ball into her own net, but it was disallowed for offside against Frida Maanum in the build-up.

It rattled the normally composed Catalans and filled Sleger’s team with belief.

Maanum came close with a drive which Cata Coll tipped over the crossbar and veteran Scot Kim Little smashed high over the bar when a corner broke invitingly to her.

At the back Leah Williamson was at her best for Arsenal, battling well with Polish striker Ewa Pajor and doing well to stifle her run as she surged into the box from the left.

Arsenal kept Alexia Putellas, another Barcelona star with two Ballon d’or wins, silent, with Mariona Caldentey, formerly f the Catalan giants, superior in midfield.

How Flick’s Barca wrestled La Liga back from Real Madrid
Romeu’s side have faced criticism this season, lacking some of the shine of the team that won the quadruple last year, and their first half display against Arsenal was not one of a team that has dominated European football over the past few years.

They came out with more purpose in the second half and a typically slick passing move ended up with the competition’s top scorer Pina’s deflected shot looping up against the crossbar with Van Domselaar frozen in place.

– Famous victory –

Barca put 10 goals past Wolfsburg and then eight past Chelsea in the previous two rounds so it was no surprise they began to click going forward, with Ona Batlle firing narrowly wide.

Van Domselaar denied Bonmati at the near post as Barcelona clicked into a higher gear, and Batlle whistled a strike narrowly over.

Finally escaping the confines of their own half, Arsenal forged a golden chance to take the lead.

Capitalising on some slack defending by Mapi Leon, substitute Blackstenius bundled her way through but Coll brilliantly blocked her low effort with her leg.

Barcelona did not heed the warning and a few minutes later the English side took the lead.

Beth Mead, another substitute, played a clever reverse pass to Swedish striker Blackstenius, who drilled through Batlle’s legs into the bottom far corner with 15 minutes remaining.

The expected Barcelona onslaught never came in the final stages and Arsenal, who defeated them in their first ever European match in 2012, completed a famous victory in the Catalans’ 100th to claim the trophy.

Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

24 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

5 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.