Matildas stars make history as Arsenal defeats Barcelona to win Champions League final Matildas trio helped Arsenal topple Barcelona Australian flags proudly waved in the stands By IAN CHADBAND FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 00:03 BST, 25 May 2025 | Updated: 00:03 BST, 25 May 2025 Arsenal's trio of Matildas have been left celebrating joyously in Lisbon after the English giants toppled the mighty champions Barcelona 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 as the underdogs, once the dominant force in English women's football, held firm under Barca pressure to become European champions for the first time in 18 years on Saturday. The pair then celebrated with their fellow international teammate Kyra Cooney-Cross, an unused substitute, proudly carrying the Australian flag around the Jose Alvalade Stadium following one of the great shocks of the women's season. Arsenal had withstood a barrage of Barca chances before Swede Stina Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, latching on to fellow sub Beth Mead's pass in a crowded penalty area to fire home. Blackstenius went on to take the player of the match award but it could just as easily have been Foord, whose tireless tormenting of Barca fullback Ona Batlle and heroic tracking back to block a goal-bound shot made this perhaps the match of her life. It was a huge triumph too for manager Renee Slegers, who had taken over mid-season with the side in a bit of turmoil following Jonas Eidevall's resignation, as the Gunners succeeded in only their second appearance in the final in 18 years, having won the big prize back in 2007. Matildas players Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley claimed Champions League glory with Arsenal The trio celebrated after the match, proudly carrying the Australian flag Arsenal are still the only English club to have won the tournament, despite Sam Kerr's best efforts with Chelsea. The Matildas trio now join their national teammate Ellie Carpenter, victorious with Lyon in the past, as a Champions League winner. Barcelona had been overwhelming favourites, aiming for a fourth title in five years and seeking to become the only team, other than Lyon, to win three on the bounce. But the team led by two-time Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, who'd hammered English champions Chelsea in the semis, found a defence superbly marshalled by Catley a much different proposition. And for all the Spaniards' possession, Arsenal created the better chances with goalkeeper Cata Coll having to deny Frida Maanum and Blackstenius before the Swede finally found the target. The closest Barca came to scoring was when Claudia Pina's shot hit the crossbar just after halftime when Arsenal were rocking. ChelseaBarcelonaArsenal Share or comment on this article: Matildas stars make history as Arsenal defeats Barcelona to win Champions League final Add comment