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Arsenal have won the UEFA Women's Champions League for the second time in their history with a 1-0 final victory over competition holders Barcelona.
The Gunners put on a brilliant defensive performance to keep out a dominant Barca side, who caused plenty of problems throughout the game, but won it late on when Stina Blackstenius fired a good effort into the far corner.
The first half was more end-to-end and Arsenal thought they had found a breakthrough just after the 20-minute mark. Frida Maanum was played in down the right side and put a low cross into the box which Irene Paredes turned into her own net. VAR intervened however and the Norway international was deemed to have strayed offside in the build-up, prompting the goal to be disallowed.
Renée Slegers' side continued to cause problems, but couldn't find a way through and went into the break level with the Spanish champions. They came out from the interval on the back foot as they were forced to soak up pressure from Barca.
The three-time victors put the Gunners under the cosh and looked certain to net the opener as they struck a number of efforts from in and around the box. Arsenal held strong and looked to hit their opponents on the counterattack.
Just minutes after being brought on as a substitute, Blackstenius robbed a defender of the ball and found herself through on goal. A good recovery forced her to take a few touches before unleashing a shot, but it was well saved by Cata Coll.
The Swede found herself with another chance moments later when Mariona Caldentey's corner was cleared before eventually finding its way to Beth Mead, who played a neat pass into her teammate. Blackstenius controlled the ball well before firing an effort into the far corner of Coll's goal.
Barca struggled to hit back after the goal and after seven gruelling minutes of injury time, referee Ivana Martinčić blew the whistle, confirming Arsenal's status as champions of Europe. With the Spanish side heavy favourites going into the game, the Gunners' victory was a shock to say the least, but a brilliant one nonetheless.
It is the second time Arsenal have won the Women's Champions League, having first done so in 2007 under the leadership of Vic Akers. They defeated Swedish side Umea 1-0 over two legs to seal a continental victory and complete an historic sextuple. The Gunners also remain the only English side to win the UWCL.
Having struggled in the Women's Super League in recent years, not winning the title since the 2018/19 season, this historic victory should help Arsenal kickstart a new era of dominance in football.