Barcelona thrashes historic rival OL Lyonnes in the final of the Women’s Champions League

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Barcelona returned to the high of European soccer by beating its most profitable rival, OL Lyonnes, 4-0 on Saturday with a sweeping second-half show to win the Women’s Champions League final.

European champion 4 occasions in simply six seasons, Barcelona has develop into a dynasty in girls’s soccer, changing Lyon, which dominated the earlier decade and holds the report with eight titles.

Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor had didn’t win the long-awaited European title on 5 events, however the former Wolfsburg star made her sixth try rely with two targets.

Pajor opened the scoring with a robust low shot in the fifty fifth minute and scored from shut vary in the 69th, as Barcelona’s assault lined as much as rating in opposition to an overwhelmed Lyon protection.

“It’s incredible, we are the best team in Europe, I am proud of everyone, I have no words,” mentioned Pajor, 29 years outdated. “For me it is a dream finally fulfilled.”

Salma Paralluelo pushed Lyon even additional by hitting a rising left-footed shot in the ninetieth minute and including one other elegant end in added time.

The first objective got here with a 40-meter run and an help from Patri Guijarro, typically ignored in a stellar midfield alongside Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alèxia Putellas.

Barcelona has received 4 nationwide and worldwide trophies this season.

A 12 months in the past, Barcelona had been denied one other title sweep with a shock 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the final.

Now it was a victory for a former assistant over whoever was his boss.

Barcelona coach Pere Romeu was assistant to Jonatan Giráldez – now at Lyon – when the Catalan large received back-to-back Champions Leagues in 2023 and 24.

It was a merciless ending for Lyon, who had been additionally chasing a quadruple of trophies this season and made an enormous impression early on. Lyon stifled Barcelona’s intention to regulate the recreation with exact passes and, as regular, had been very sturdy from set items.

Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll made a superb save in the first half from Wendie Renard’s header and left again Selma Bacha’s free kick that curled into the high nook.

“It was a team victory,” mentioned Barcelona coach Romeu.

Almost inevitably in trendy soccer, a VAR intervention modified the course of the match — though Barcelona wanted it to detect an offside that the referees had not signaled.

When Renard’s header in the 14th minute was parried away by Coll, Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps poked the unfastened ball into the web from three yards out. The United States captain had been forward of Renard when the header occurred, however the offside was solely confirmed a minute later, whereas Barcelona waited to take a shot from the center.

Heaps was consoled by Barcelona figures after enjoying one of her final video games with Lyon. The participant introduced that she’s going to return to the United States to play with Denver Summit, an growth workforce in the NWSL.

The Polish star modified his personal script after enduring a messy first half. Pajor twice shot vast when he had clear house to shoot.

The first time was at 18 minutes with a lob from 22 meters in direction of an unguarded objective after an absence of communication between Renard and goalkeeper Christiane Endler, who had come out. The ball bounced into the aspect netting on the improper aspect of the publish.

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