The 2025 Women's Champions League final was settled by one goal as Arsenal wrestled the crown of Europe’s best away from the all-conquering Barcelona at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. The Gunners’ run to the final was ultimately been based on comebacks, but one chance is all they needed to win this competition for the first time since 2007.
With around 15 minutes to go, the all-important moment arrived and plenty of credit must go to Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers. It was her double substitution that work wonders with Beth Mead playing a fantastic reverse pass for Stina Blackstenius to score what proved to be the winning goal in Lisbon.
Barcelona, aiming to retain the title for a third year in a row, huffed and puffed but barring Clàudia Pina’s deflected effort that looped against the crossbar, they lacked the cutting edge as they could not find a way past a resloute Arsenal defence. Follow the Women's Champions League final back below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Arsenal vs Barcelona latest news
- GOAL! Blackstenius puts Arsenal ahead
- NO GOAL! Gunners denied opener after VAR check
- CONFIRMED ARSENAL XI: Van Domselaar and Kelly start
Kelly Smith praises Renee Slegers
19:26 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe legendary Kelly Smith has stopped by for some media duties. Speaking to TNT Sports she credits Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers for today’s win.
Champions
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the image that will be shared everywhere tonight!
Presentation
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTime for the team photo including the staff members.
The legendary Kelly Smith is amongst it.
Presentation
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKim Little and Leah Williamson lift the Women’s Champions League trophy to signal Arsenal as the champions of Europe!
Presentation
19:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNow it’s time for Arsenal to make their way to the podium, lead by head coach Renee Slegers.
Presentation
19:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Barcelona players have gone up for their runners-up medals.
Long time since they’ve had this feeling.
Wright and Dein in attendance
19:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIan Wright and David Dein are in attendance this evening. They look so proud of the team.
Williamson speaks
19:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLeah Williamson is “so happy” with the result, says a lot of the Arsenal players had the game of their lives.
Russo reacts
19:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAlessia Russo is in tears as she speaks to TNT Sports.
Says the team knew the team had to “suffer” against Barcelona. Praises the substitutes.
The tweet
19:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal are champions of Europe again!
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. THE ONLY IN THE LAND ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6HELAUEn23
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
Arsenal crowned champions of Europe
19:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal have been crowned champions of Europe after beating Barcelona in the 2025 Women’s Champions League final.
It is the Gunners’ first triumph in the competition since 2007 as they dethrone the holders and deny the dominant Spanish outfit from completing successive quadruples in the process.
The all-important moment came around 15 minutes from time as Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers saw her double substitution work wonders with Beth Mead playing a fantastic reverse pass for Stina Blackstenius to open the scoring.
FULL-TIME
18:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTHEY’VE DONE IT
ARSENAL HAVE WON THE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+6 min: That should be that as McCabe wins a free-kick deep in her own half.
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+5 min: Mariona shows great experience to draw a foul in Barcelona’s half. I imagine the ball will be heading for the corner.
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+1 min: Arsenal change
ON: Wubben-Moy
OFF: Russo
Gunners going to a back five.
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: CHANCE
That was the chance to seal the game Blackstenius is clean through but can’t steer her effort on target this time.
SEVEN minutes of added time.
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: Paralluelo booked for an accidental collision with Mead.
Arsenal will not mind this one bit as time is ticking down.
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Arsenal change
ON: Hurtig
OFF: Foord
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: This final is far from over, Bonmati sees an effort deflected behind for a corner but Williamson makes first connection with the resulting cross as she heads the ball away.
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Great defensive clearance from Williamson as she stops Bonmati from a simple tap-in.
Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona
18:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: No offside call to deny Arsenal this time. Blackstenius’ run was timed to perfection.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona | Stina Blackstenius '74
18:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne74 min: GOALLLLLLLLL
What an impact from the Arsenal substitutes. Mead plays a wonderful reverse pass into Stina Blackstenius who makes no mistake with the finish.
Deadlock broken!
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: HUGE SAVE
Blackstenius does superbly well to win the ball back in a dangerous area, she drives forward and forces a great save from Cata Coll.
At the other end, Pajor glances a header just wide.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Inches away from the opening goal but Catley does really well to deal with a dangerous cross from underneath her own crossbar.
That easily could have been an own goal.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Double Arsenal change
ON: Mead and Blackstenius
OFF: Maanum and Kelly
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Kelly booked for an off-the-ball incident. Needless push on Putellas.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne64 min: McCabe goes down and stays down after a tackle in the box. Doesn’t seem a penalty will be given but the Arsenal star is back on her feet now.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Make that three efforts on goal from Batlle. This one is straight at Van Domselaar who needs a second attempt to gather the ball into her arms.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: Batlle is feeling confident today, another strike from range and she is a whisker away from finding the top corner.
First Barcelona change sees Paralluelo replace Pina.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: Van Domselaar gets down to her near post to keep out a clever effort from Bonmati.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: Barcelona piling on the pressure, but Arsenal are standing firm. Corner conceded as the holders prepare a change.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Williamson and Little, separately, in the right place at the right time defensively with Barcelona turning up the heat in Lisbon.
Important period this for Arsenal.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: Barcelona go close again as Batlle slices an effort just wide.
Much improved the holders have been at the start of the second half.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: CROSSBAR!
Pina’s shot deflects off Fox and loops onto the crossbar. Ball is returned into the box, Bonmati tries a cheeky flick but Van Domselaar reads those intentions.
At the other end, Paredes is shown a yellow card for a foul on Foord.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Early warning for Arsenal at the start of the second half as Pina shoots from range, forcing Van Domselaar into a routine save.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
18:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in Lisbon.
No changes from either side.
First-half verdict
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKaren Carney has praised that first-half performance from Arsenal. She says they have been the better team despite having less possession.
HALF-TIME
17:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal 0-0 Barcelona
Goalless at the break in the Women’s Champions League final.
Arsenal have had the ball in the back of the net, but Irene Paredes’ blushes were spared following a VAR check for offside.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Into one minute of added on time as Van Domselaar dives on a cross.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne42 min: Appeals from Graham and the Barcelona fans for handball against McCabe.
Nothing given.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: More last ditch defending by Arsenal as Fox produces a fine block to stop Pina from testing Van Domselaar.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: More on the Arsenal disallowed goal.
Frida Maanum found herself in acres of space on the right wing and her low cross was diverted into her own net by Barcelona defender Irene Paredes.
However, an offside check showed Maanum had gone too early.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne37 min: Arsenal living dangerously as Van Domselaar punches a cross away but the ball almost falls kindly for a Barcelona player.
Once again, the Gunners having to dig in.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Fantastic defending from Williamson as she times her tackle in the box on Pina to perfection.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Barcelona come forward but Foord tracks all the way back to her own box to make a vital block.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Brilliant from Aitana Bonmatí as he picks up the ball and drives right at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
Gets a shot off but it is straight at Van Domselaar.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: Whenever Arsenal attack, they pose a great threat. Unlucky on this occasion as Russo tried to lay the ball off for a teammate.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne28 min: WHAT A EFFORT
Frida Maanum pings one from about 35 yards and it requires a great save from Cata Coll to keep it out.
From the corner, the ball is cleared only as far as Little but she fires an effort over the bar.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Russo does well to wriggle away from two challenges and picks out Fox who has made a lung-bursting run forward. She can’t quite bring the ball under control and eventually the chance goes begging.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: GOAL DISALLOWED
Irene Paredes turns the ball into her own net, but the goal is disallowed for offside following a VAR check.
Still goalless in the Women's Champions League final.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Barcelona stepping things up now, Arsenal having to dig in and accept they will not have much of the ball during this period.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: First corner of the game goes the way of Barcelona.
Russo heads the ball away at the back post, Barca recycle possession, cross comes in and Van Domselaar punches it away.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Promising attack by Arsenal as they get down the side, Foord crosses for Kelly who takes on a first time volley, however, she can’t keep her effort down.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne12 min: Chances at both ends now, Bonmatí sees a shot from inside the area deflected and the ball drops kindly for Van Domselaar.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Great cross from Little, picks out Foord at the back post and she guides a header back across goal but no Arsenal teammate gambled in the middle.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne9 min: Utter chaos in the Arsenal penalty box as they play a couple of square balls. Barcelona nip in but can’t punish the Gunners as Williamson eventually clears.
A real hear in mouth moment for supporters there!
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: Pina is caught late by Chloe Kelly. Fortunately for the Gunners, the referee did not spot the tackle.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Just a glimpse of what is in store for Arsenal this evening as Bonmatí drives with the ball from deep.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: Some early defending for Williamson as Barcelona look for a run in behind. The Arsenal vice-captain deals with the threat quite comfortably.
Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona
17:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 min: Foord does well to win the ball back, gives Arsenal a bit of possession but they lose it fairly quickly.
KICK-OFF!
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in the 2025 Women's Champions League final!
Here we go!
16:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRight, the two teams have made their way out to the pitch.
You know what that means!
Kick-off is just moments away.
Barcelona's route
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBarcelona's campaign started with a shock 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in their first group game.
However, they responded with five wins in a row, scoring 26 goals and conceding just one, to finish top of group D.
They beat Wolfsburg 10-2 in the quarter-finals before making light work of this year's English domestic Treble winners Chelsea 8-2 in the last four.
Not long now!
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAround 15 minutes until kick-off in the Women’s Champions League final.
Arsenal's route to the final
16:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal’s journey started in the first and second qualifying rounds. After taking care of business against Rangers, Rosenborg and BK Hacken they moved on to the group phase.
Sealing a top-two finish to reach the quarter-final, it has been all about the comebacks ever since.
Aitana Bonmati concern
16:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIn Barcelona’s pre-match warm-up, Aitana Bonmatí appeared to have hurt her arm during one of the training drills.
One to keep an eye on.
Here is a reminder of today's teams
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little (C), McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Kelly, Russo
Subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Ilestedt, Nighswonger, Walti, Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Hurtig, Mead, Blackstenius
Barcelona XI: Cata Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Maria Leon, Rolfo; Aitana, Patri, Alexia (C); Graham, Rajor, Pina
Subs: Gemma, Roebuck, Jana, Paralluelo, Marta, Vicky, Engen, Brugts, Caño, Schertenleib, Serrajordi, Judit
Huge Kim Little comparison
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKaren Carney, on punditry duty for TNT Sports this evening, has paid Arsenal captain Kim Little quite the compliment.
"She's like the Kevin De Bruyne of the women's game."
No pressure on Little, then.
A word from the head coach
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRenee Slegers spoke to the media yesterday ahead of the Women’s Champions League final and her message was clear!
Together 💪
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
Atmosphere building
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneQuite an atmosphere building ahead of kick-off at the Estadio Jose Alvalade
Leah Williamson interview
16:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLeah Williamson, the Arsenal vice-captain, explains why the Gunners have been able to show such resilience on the road to Lisbon.
“By being very tasked-focused,” she tells Standard Sport. “These are our capabilities, but we have to earn the right to play. You have unwavering belief that you can reach that level; now is the time to show it.
“There was no bickering, no disagreement. If someone makes a decision, we trust them and back them.”
Star-studded Barcelona XI
16:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas start in midfield for Barcelona.
Top-scorer Ewa Pajor leads the line up front.
No surprises
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Arsenal team that Renee Slegers has selected offers no real surprises. As expected, Daphne van Domselaar gets the nod in between the sticks.
The only other big selection decision sees Chloe Kelly start ahead of Beth Mead.
Barcelona team in full
16:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBarcelona XI: Cata Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Maria Leon, Rolfo; Aitana, Patri, Alexia (C); Graham, Rajor, Pina
Subs: Gemma, Roebuck, Jana, Paralluelo, Marta, Vicky, Engen, Brugts, Caño, Schertenleib, Serrajordi, Judit
Arsenal team in full
15:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little (C), McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Kelly, Russo
Subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Ilestedt, Nighswonger, Walti, Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Hurtig, Mead, Blackstenius
CONFIRMED BARCELONA XI
15:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd here is the Barcelona XI...
𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐎́ ✨#ArsenalBarça | #uwcl pic.twitter.com/E90qAnyCcU
— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) May 24, 2025
CONFIRMED ARSENAL XI
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the team Renee Slegers has picked to start the Women's Champions League final...
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
🧤 van Domselaar between the sticks
🫡 Little captains the side
⚡️Russo leads the line
Let’s do this, Gunners 👊
Third time in a row
15:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Women’s Champions League trophy has belonged to Barcelona over the past two seasons.
It is also their fifth consecutive appearance in the final...
— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) May 24, 2025
A special message
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal legend Ian Wright, vocal advocate for women's football, has wished Renee Slegers' side all the best in today's Champions League final...
A special delivery of good luck messages from some familiar faces ☺️ pic.twitter.com/1dPBoRKYmP
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
Team news is on the way
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe should have team news from the Estadio Jose Alvalade any minute now...
The prize
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIn just under 90 minutes, this is the prize Arsenal and Barcelona will be battling it out for.
Alessia Russo exclusive
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePersonal accolades are one thing, but Alessia Russo’s biggest desire is to win trophies and today provides her with the perfect opportunity to do so.
Arsenal take on Barcelona in the final of the Women’s Champions League and Renee Slegers’ side are out to make history.
Only once before have the Gunners won the competition and that was all the way back in 2007, when Russo was just eight years old.
“I don’t think anything tops winning a trophy as a team,” says Russo. “When you go through a long journey with your team-mates, who feel like sisters, winning a trophy means so much.”
Click here to read Standard Sport’s exclusive interview with Alessia Russo!
Today’s setting...
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe perfect setting for a major European final...
Predicted Arsenal XI
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChloe Kelly and Beth Mead are battling for a spot on the right-hand side of the attack. The pair have often rotated in this competition and that logic suggests the latter will be picked after Kelly started the second leg win over Lyon.
The rest of Sleger’s XI is fairly easy to predict. Women’s Super League (WSL) Player of the Year Mariona Caldentey is set to start in midfield against her former club, Leah Williamson lines up in defence, Alessia Russo leads the line and Kim Little captains the side.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Maanum, Little, Mariona; Mead, Russo, Foord
Arsenal vs Barcelona match odds
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal to lift the trophy: 9/1
Barcelona to lift the trophy: 1/25
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Arsenal vs Barcelona: Head-to-head (h2h) history and results
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal and Barcelona first met in the 2012-13 UWCL, with the Gunners winning 7-0 on aggregate.
Arsenal wins: 2
Barcelona wins: 2
Draws: 0
Score prediction
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal turning over one of the world’s best teams in Lyon with that stunning away semi-final upset was impressive.
In Barcelona, though, they may have met their match. The Blaugrana barely broke a sweat as they dismantled Chelsea in the semi-finals, scoring a remarkable eight goals against a side who last week completed an unbeaten domestic season.
The star power of Putellas and Bonmati will be extremely difficult for Arsenal to match. At their best, Barcelona are an unstoppable force.
Barcelona to win, 3-0.
Barcelona team news
15:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBarcelona have just one notable absentee in Kika Nazareth, who was subbed off in the second leg of the Copa de la Reina semi-final against Real Madrid with an ankle injury.
Arsenal team news
14:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRenee Slegers confirmed ahead of the match that her squad has close to a perfect bill of health.
She said: “We have a great squad and a lot of players available.
“The only player not available tomorrow is Rosa Kafaji.”
How to watch
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 4pm BST ahead of a 5pm kick-off. It’s also free to watch on DAZN.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website. The match will also be streamed on DAZN’s YouTube channel.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: The DAZN Women’s Football YouTube channel will show highlights at full time.
Welcome
14:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the Women’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona!
Can Arsenal claim Europe’s biggest prize for the first time since 2007 or will Barcelona continue their dominance in the competition by winning it for a third year on the trot?
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5pm BST from Lisbon. Stick with us!
