Football
Arsenal stun Barcelona to win Women’s Champions League final
Arsenal pulled off one of the most memorable victories in the history of the Women’s Champions League, defeating Barcelona 1-0 in a dramatic final on Saturday.
Coming into the match as underdogs, the Gunners found their breakthrough in the 75th minute when Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius, who came on as a substitute, calmly slotted the ball past Barcelona goalkeeper Catalina Coll after receiving a perfectly weighted pass from Beth Mead.
Throughout the game, Arsenal had to absorb relentless pressure from a Barcelona side that was heavily favored to lift the trophy for a third consecutive season.
Barcelona had breezed past Chelsea with an emphatic 8-2 aggregate win in the semi-final and looked poised to extend their European dominance. Despite the odds, Arsenal’s disciplined defensive display held firm against wave after wave of attack.
This victory marks Arsenal’s second Women’s Champions League title, their first coming in 2007. They remain the only English club to ever win the competition.
Their journey to the final this season was nothing short of remarkable, especially considering the turbulent start they had. After securing just one win in their opening four Women’s Super League fixtures and suffering a heavy 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the group stage, few believed they could mount a serious European campaign.
In October, Jonas Eidevall stepped down as manager and Renee Slegers took over as interim head coach. Her positive impact was immediate, and she was rewarded with a permanent role in January. Under her guidance, Arsenal began to turn things around domestically and carried that momentum into Europe.
After falling to a 2-0 defeat away to Real Madrid in the quarter-final, Arsenal delivered a stunning response in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium, winning 3-0 to reach the semi-final.
They faced another uphill battle against Lyon, losing 2-1 at home in the first leg before overturning the deficit with a sensational 4-1 victory in France to earn a place in the final.
In Saturday’s final in Lisbon, Barcelona dictated the tempo and registered 20 shots, but Arsenal’s resilient defense limited their opportunities. Leah Williamson, who was famously a mascot during the Gunners’ 2007 triumph, played a crucial role in keeping Polish striker Ewa Pajor — who has scored 41 goals this season — at bay. Her leadership and composure at the back were key to the victory.
Speaking after the match, Williamson praised her teammates for delivering when it mattered most. She noted how several players rose to the occasion and described how the team adapted their game plan during the week to feel more confident.
Reflecting on the winning goal, she emphasized how they believed they only needed one chance — and Blackstenius delivered.
Earlier in the match, Arsenal thought they had taken the lead when Frida Maanum’s low cross deflected off Irene Paredes into the net, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR check that revealed Maanum was offside.
After the break, Arsenal continued to defend deep and eventually capitalized on a swift counterattack, with Blackstenius finishing the move clinically to put her side ahead.
Manager Renee Slegers expressed her pride in the team’s belief and mental strength. She spoke about preparing for shifts in momentum and emphasized how crucial it was to manage the opening phases of the match, acknowledging Barcelona’s quality.
She credited her players’ mentality and willingness to adapt, describing their attitude in training and matches as outstanding.
Slegers added that this triumph means a great deal to the club, highlighting Arsenal’s long-standing influence in women’s football and suggesting that their success this season is a reflection of years of dedication and progress.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
-
Football2 months agoAntony scores another worldie with stunning free-kick vs ex-Man Utd team-mate
-
Football1 month agoGuardiola refuses to shake hands with Palace star as Man City boss makes his feelings clear at the final whistle
-
Football1 month agoLionel Messi involved in furious argument with referee after Inter Miami game
-
Football1 month agoMan Utd wonderkid dubbed ‘Next Yamal’ could snub Spain for England
-
Football1 month agoREVEALRD: Why do Man Utd have (Red) as their shirt sponsor vs West Ham
-
Football2 months agoWatch Harry Maguire turn into Lamine Yamal as he humiliates Bilbao defender
-
Football2 months agoAmorim spotted with new plaster on his knuckles after half-time vs Bilbao
-
Football2 months agoMan Utd fans name two players who ‘can’t start’ in the Europa League final despite win vs Athletic Bilbao