Barcelona thrashes historic rival OL Lyonnes in Women’s Champions League final – Boston Herald
By GRAHAM DUNBAR
OSLO, Norway (AP) — Barcelona returned to the highest 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 turn out to be a dynasty in ladies’s soccer, changing Lyon, which dominated the earlier decade and holds the report with eight titles.
Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor had did not win the long-awaited European title on 5 events, however the former Wolfsburg star made her sixth try rely with two objectives.
Pajor opened the scoring with a strong low shot in the fifty fifth minute and scored from shut vary in the 69th, as Barcelona’s assault lined as much as rating towards 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 previous. “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 purpose got here with a 40-meter run and an help from Patri Guijarro, usually neglected in a stellar midfield alongside Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alèxia Putellas.
Barcelona has gained 4 nationwide and worldwide trophies this season.
A 12 months in the past, Barcelona have 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 gained back-to-back Champions Leagues in 2023 and 24.
Lyon’s good begin
It was a merciless ending for Lyon, who have been additionally chasing a quadruple of trophies this season and made a giant impression early on. Lyon stifled Barcelona’s intention to manage the sport with exact passes and, as regular, have been very robust from set items.
Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll made a very good save in the primary half from Wendie Renard’s header and left again Selma Bacha’s free kick that curled into the highest nook.
“It was a team victory,” Barcelona coach Romeu mentioned.
Almost inevitably in fashionable soccer, a VAR intervention modified the course of the match — though Barcelona wanted it to detect an offside that the referees had not signaled.
The unhappy consequence of Heaps
When Renard’s header in the 14th minute was parried away by Coll, Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps poked the free ball into the online 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 taking part in one in every of her final video games with Lyon. The participant introduced that she is going to return to the United States to play with Denver Summit, an growth staff in the NWSL.
Pajor’s match of two halves
The Polish star modified his personal script after enduring a messy first half. Pajor twice shot broad when he had clear house to shoot.
The first time was at 18 minutes with a lob from 22 meters in the direction of an unguarded purpose after an absence of communication between Renard and goalkeeper Christiane Endler, who had come out. The ball bounced into the facet netting on the improper facet of the publish.
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