In an unforgettable moment in Arsenal’s storied 139-year history, the team, under the leadership of 36-year-old head coach Renée Slegers, achieved a phenomenal upset during the Women’s Champions League final.

Facing the formidable Barcelona squad, Slegers executed her strategy flawlessly and made timely substitutions that led Arsenal to secure their first Women’s Champions League title in 18 years, marking the second such victory for any English club.

“I’m not sure it’s fully sunk in yet,” commented Kim Little, who first debuted for Arsenal in 2008. “Winning the Champions League is definitely one of the best moments in the club’s history, so it’s incredible to think about it in that way.”

The decisive goal came from Stina Blackstenius in the 74th minute. With Leah Williamson performing strongly on defense, Slegers’ decisions significantly impacted the match, particularly her double substitution six minutes prior, which replaced Chloe Kelly—who was having a strong showing—with Blackstenius and Beth Mead.

The tactical changes paid off, as Blackstenius’s energetic play combined with Mead’s skill created the only goal of the game. After a corner was cleared, Mead delivered a precise reverse pass that sent Blackstenius on a break, and she coolly finished, solidifying Arsenal’s tactical excellence characterized by disciplined defense and strategic counterattacks.

“It was likely the toughest match we’ve faced, given Barcelona’s quality, their tactical rotations, and individual talents,” Slegers reflected. “There was so much to contend with throughout the game.”

Slegers’ journey adds to the extraordinary nature of this victory. Initially an unknown assistant coach at the beginning of the season, she stepped up on an interim basis in October when previous coach Jonas Eidevall departed due to the team’s poor performance. She secured the permanent coaching position in January and led Arsenal to the final through remarkable comebacks, ultimately denying Barcelona a chance at a third consecutive European title.

“We’ve faced numerous challenges together, but we’ve always persevered,” said Slegers.

Barcelona’s roster showcased their strength, with Salma Paralluelo—who ranked third in the Ballon d’Or voting—starting the match on the bench.

The atmosphere at Estadio José Alvalade in Lisbon further highlighted Barcelona’s dominance, as even Arsenal’s loyal supporters were outnumbered. This was Barcelona’s fifth consecutive final appearance, demonstrating their status in women’s football.

Slegers opted for a strong performance from Kelly on the wings, placing a focus on physical play rather than technical finesse initially. Kelly quickly made her presence felt with a tough challenge on Claudia Pina, this season’s Champions League top scorer, which signaled to Barcelona that they could not afford to underestimate Arsenal.

While Arsenal absorbed significant early pressure from Barcelona, they demonstrated a methodical approach that contrasted with Chelsea’s overly aggressive style in their semi-final loss. Coach Slegers sought advice from Arsenal’s historical champions, Vic Akers and Emma Hayes, to devise a solid game plan.

Arsenal nearly took the lead in the 22nd minute when a potential own goal by Irene Paredes was overturned due to an offside. Following the disallowed goal, Arsenal had a flurry of opportunities, including a powerful long-range shot from Frida Maanum that required a notable save from Cata Coll, only for Kim Little to narrowly miss from the resulting corner.

Barcelona regained their momentum, but Williamson, who was once an Arsenal mascot during the club’s 2007 victory, showcased her defensive skills with a timely tackle on Ewa Pajor as she looked to break through.

Despite Barcelona featuring some of the best players in women’s football, they struggled to effectively capitalize on their opportunities. Arsenal maintained a proactive approach, but Barcelona’s offensive units were hindered by hesitancy and missed chances.

As the game wore on, the tactical simplicity of Arsenal’s defend-and-counter strategy began to falter. After a miss from Maanum, Bonmatí’s strike forced another save from Daphne van Domselaar. With the game intensifying, Slegers made pivotal substitutions, introducing Mead and Blackstenius to inject some much-needed fresh energy into the squad.

Just moments after her introduction, Blackstenius made an immediate impact, forcing another save from Coll before scoring from Mead’s brilliant assist, embedding herself in Arsenal’s history.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Slegers and her squad managed the game expertly to maintain their lead.

“The way we navigated the game’s closing moments was extraordinary,” noted Slegers. “It exceeded our expectations.”

Final Scores: Arsenal (4-2-3-1): D van Domselaar 7 – E Fox 7, L Williamson 7, S Catley 7, K McCabe 7 – K Little 6, M Caldentey 6 – C Kelly 8 (B Mead 68 min, 8), F Maanum 7 (S Blackstenius 68, 8), C Foord 7 (L Hurtig 86) – A Russo 7 (L Wubben-Moy 90+2). Yellow card: Kelly.

Barcelona (4-3-3): C Coll 7 – O Batlle 5, I Paredes 6, M León 5 (I Engen 79), F Rolfo 6 (E Brugts 79) – A Bonmatí 6, P Guijarro 6, A Putellas 5 – C Graham Hansen 5, E Pajor 5, C Pina 6 (S Paralluelo 62, 6). Yellow cards: Paredes, Paralluelo.

Referee: I Martincic (Cro). Attendance: 38,356.