Matildas stars make history as Arsenal defeats Barcelona to win Champions League final

The Trio of Matildas of Arsenal is joyfully celebrated in Lisbon after the English giants have reversed the powerful champions Barcelona with 1-0 to lift the UEFA Women's Champions League title.

Caitlin Foord was brilliant foraging forward, while Steph Catley was a rock at the back when the underdogs, as soon as the dominant force in the English women's football, retained under Barca pressure to be European champions for the first time in 18 years.

The couple then celebrated with their fellow international teammate Kyra Cooney-Cross, an unused replacement, who proudly wore the Australian flag around the Jose Alvalade Stadium after one of the large shocks of the women's season.

Arsenal had kept a barrage of Barca opportunities before Swede Stina Blackstenius broke the impasse in the 75th minute, determined to the pass of colleague Sub Mead in a busy penalty to fire home.

Blackstenius then took the player of the Match Award, but it could have been just as easily, whose tireless torment of Barca Fullback ONA Batlle and Heroic Tracking back to block a target -bound shot might make the game of her life.

It was also a huge triumph for manager Renee Sleesers, who had taken over the middle of the season with the side in a little unrest after the resignation of Jonas Eidevall, while the Gunners succeeded in only their second performance in the final in 18 years, after they won the Grand Prix in 2007.

Arsenal is still the only English club that has won the tournament, despite the efforts of Sam Kerr with Chelsea.

The Matildas trio is now joining their national teammate Ellie Carpenter, in the past as a victor with Lyon, as the winner of the Champions League.

Barcelona had been overwhelming favorites, aimed at a fourth title in five years and tried to become the only team, except Lyon, to win three on the bounce.

But the team led by two -time balloon d'Or winners Aitana Bossi and Alexia Putellas, who had hammered the English chamons Chelsea in the Semis, found a defense that was excellent by Catley a completely different proposition.

And for all the possession of the Spaniards, Arsenal created the better opportunities with goalkeeper Cata Coll who had to deny Frida Maanum and Blackstenius before the Swede finally found the goal.

The nearest Barca came to score when Claudia Pina's shot hit the bar just after the break when Arsenal fluctuated.

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