Fridolina Rolfo’s strike accomplished a shocking second-half comeback to safe Barcelona the Champions League trophy with a 3-2 victory over Wolfsburg at Eindhoven’s sold-out Philips Stadion.
The Spanish aspect have been favourites to win a second title in three years however have been shocked by Ewa Pajor’s opener after simply three minutes, whereas skipper Alexandra Popp prolonged Wolfsburg’s benefit to 2 earlier than the break.
Two targets inside two second-half minutes for Patricia Guijarro introduced Barcelona again into the competition instantly following the restart earlier than they benefited from a Wolfsburg error to seal the win.
Barca’s victory additionally made English historical past, with Lioness Lucy Bronze turning into the primary from her nation to win the Champions League title with two golf equipment having beforehand carried out so 3 times with Lyon.
Both sides had eradicated English opponents to get right here, with Wolfsburg seeing off Arsenal and Barcelona reaching their fourth showpiece in 5 seasons after drawing 1-1 with Chelsea of their second leg to advance 2-1 on combination.
Current England and former Netherlands boss Sarina Wiegman introduced out the trophy on a sunny afternoon in her native nation, and was little question delighted to see Bronze, recovered from knee surgical procedure, again within the Barcelona beginning line-up precisely seven weeks earlier than the Lionesses open their World Cup marketing campaign.
It was the England defender’s mistake, nonetheless, that led to her aspect conceding after simply two minutes and 57 seconds – the quickest Barcelona had ever fallen behind within the competitors.
England worldwide Lucy Bronze with the coveted trophy
(Reuters)
Barca had a shot stopped by Merle Frohms earlier than Pajor gained the ball off Bronze and made her manner into the centre earlier than drilling previous Sandra Panos into the highest proper nook.
That seemingly conjured up painful recollections for Barcelona, who conceded to eventual 3-1 winners Lyon after six minutes final 12 months in Turin.
Irene Paredes cringed after losing a free header, whereas on the different finish Sveindis Jonsdottir had a half-volley saved for the Frauen-Bundesliga runners-up.
Caroline Graham Hansen discovered herself in an ideal place to stage from Mapi Leon’s glorious supply however the Norwegian couldn’t join and appeared thrown off by the bounce the ball took en path to the six-yard field.
As the Liga F champions struggled to settle right into a dominant rhythm, Pajor turned supplier and despatched a fantastic supply within the route of her skipper to dutifully head house – Popp within the course of equalling Ada Hegerberg’s UWCL document as she received herself on the finals scoresheet in a fourth separate season.
It took an alert Frohms to disclaim Salma Paralluelo late within the interval and ship her aspect into the second half with a two-goal benefit.
That was erased inside 5 minutes after the restart when Guijarro collected Graham Hansen’s cut-back, then nodded her second previous a leaping Frohms two minutes later from Aitana Bonmati’s supply.
Barcelona’s comeback was full after Lynn Wilms’ tried clearance as a substitute deflected off teammate Kathrin Hendrich, permitting Mariona Caldentey to faucet the ball to Rolfo, who fired within the Seventieth-minute winner from the sting of the six-yard field.
Both benches confirmed nerves throughout seven minutes of stoppage time, but it surely was Barca who finally survived a late scare to safe the trophy.
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk
