Barcelona Dominates to…

OSLO, Norway — Ewa Pajor
and Salma Paralluelo
both scored twice as Barcelona
cruised to a 4-0 victory over OL Lyonnes
at the Ullevaal Stadion during the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, securing their fourth title.

Pajor found herself missing two clear opportunities in the first half but turned her performance around after halftime, netting two goals in just 14 minutes as Barcelona avenged their loss to Arsenal in last year’s final.

Paralluelo capped off the scoring with two late goals, one a stunning long-range shot and the other a well-executed finish on a counterattack set up by Pajor.

Despite Lyonnes’ stronger first-half showing, which included a goal from Lindsey Heaps being disallowed for offside, they failed to capitalize on their chances. A brilliant save by Cata Coll from a Selma Bacha free kick was one of many stops that kept Lyonnes scoreless.

While Lyonnes had the edge early on, they couldn’t break through the Barcelona defense, ultimately allowing the game to slip away from them. — Sam Marsden

– UEFA Women’s Champions League final recap

– Alexia Putellas biography, titles, records and career accolades

– Will the Champions League final be Alexia Putellas’ last game for Barça?

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Pajor’s Brace Ends Her UWCL Drought

If Pajor had not won this final, it would have been a long flight back to Barcelona. She entered this match having lost her previous five finals with Wolfsburg and Barcelona, and after missing two clear chances in the first half, she must have felt the pressure. However, the Polish striker persevered and converted her next opportunity, driving past former teammate Ingrid Syrstad Engen to finish low into the corner. The relief was evident on her face as she celebrated in front of the thrilled Barça fans.

With her opening goal, she became the first player to score in both legs of the quarterfinals, both legs of the semifinals, and in the final in one season since the competition’s one-leg final format was introduced in 2009-10, raising her tally to a record-breaking 10 goals in this season’s tournament.

She soon followed it up with her second goal, a tidy finish close to goal after a fluid Barcelona move, essentially sealing the match. Paralluelo showcased her brilliance as well, scoring two late goals to cement the victory.

The first of her goals was a remarkable strike from distance, finding the top corner. After a challenging season, it was the perfect finish for the Spanish forward, who looked to regain the form that had previously placed her on the Ballon d’Or podium in 2023.

As the final whistle blew, Pajor dropped to the ground in joyful disbelief as her teammates gathered around her. She finally secured her elusive Champions League trophy—an experience well-deserved. — Marsden

Lyonnes Fail to Seize Control Despite Strong First Half

While it wasn’t definitive, Lyonnes did show stronger performance in the first half. Barcelona struggled to find its rhythm, with Lyonnes’ midfield marking disrupting their play and resulting in Barcelona’s lowest first-half possession in a Champions League match since April 2017 against Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona was forced into uncharacteristic, hurried chances, but they, like throughout their campaign, failed to capitalize on the momentum.

They created several opportunities, including a significant chance for Ada Hegerberg and a looping shot from Jule Brand. However, their final touches lacked precision. When they finally found the net through Heaps, the goal was called off for offside, which could have ignited their tempo but instead left them stagnant.

This has been a recurring issue for Lyonnes this season. In the semifinals against Arsenal, they failed to capitalize on an early lead and eventually lost. The same pattern emerged in the quarterfinals versus Wolfsburg, emphasizing a concerning trend that Lyonnes must address. Reflecting on the match, they will regret not taking advantage of their early dominance—it ultimately proved to be their downfall. — Emily Keogh

Romeu Outshines Former Mentor

Pere Romeu, previously Jonatan Giráldez’s assistant, now stood as the master strategist, orchestrating a convincing 4-0 defeat of Lyonnes.

Following last year’s finals loss to Arsenal, critics questioned Romeu’s leadership potential. Known for his tactical insights and game reading abilities, he was often overshadowed by Giráldez’s success. However, he stepped into the spotlight this season, securing a second club quadruple in just his second season as head coach.

Having observed Giráldez’s management closely since joining as an assistant in 2024, Romeu recognized the strengths and weaknesses to exploit. Both sides aimed to control possession, but only one could execute. Barcelona struggled early to adapt to Lyonnes’ aggressive tactics but eventually found their footing in the second half, clinching victory.

Ultimately, the student emerged as the master, empowering Barcelona to reclaim their status at the pinnacle of women’s football and establish dominance over Lyonnes who have long been a formidable adversary. — Keogh

Home Crowd Fails to Inspire Norwegian Players

Despite the ambiance of a home Champions League final, the Norwegian players—Lyonnes’ Hegerberg and Engen, and Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen—struggled to perform in front of the local crowd.

Oslo’s smaller stadium attracted fewer fans than in previous seasons, yet local residents rallied around their national team players with enthusiasm and support. However, the emotional weight may have led to overthinking. Hegerberg missed two crucial chances: one due to hesitation and the other wide of the mark. Engen, typically reliable, faltered in the closing moments allowing Paralluelo to score.

Graham Hansen was similarly thwarted throughout the match, with Selma Bacha neutralizing her flank, limiting the 31-year-old’s impact. She was subbed off after 62 minutes, visibly dissatisfied with her performance, yet quickly shifted to euphoria upon Barcelona’s fourth goal.

While Barcelona had strong backup options like Clàudia Pina and Aitana Bonmatí to affect the game, Lyonnes sorely missed Kadidiatou Diani, who could have lightened Hegerberg’s offensive burden, potentially altering the result. — Keogh

Spanish Club Celebrates Redemption After Last Year’s Loss

Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas revealed that last season’s shocking defeat to Arsenal fueled a collective drive for improvement and maturity heading into this campaign. While this may seem easy to assert after such a commanding win, Barcelona indeed appeared more level-headed as they dismantled Lyonnes in the second half.

Although they faced some challenges in the first half, they managed to withstand the pressure and regained their composure after halftime. If any doubts remained regarding their status as the dominant force in European football, Barcelona decisively laid them to rest.

Now winners of four Champions League titles in six consecutive finals and seven in eight years, Barcelona has proven its prowess. After losing their initial final to Lyonnes in 2019, the last two victories against them signify their standing in women’s football.

While Lyonnes has eight titles to their name, their legacy is now chased by a determined Barcelona side that continues to solidify its legacy. — Marsden