Barcelona and Olympia Lyonnais met in Bilbao today for another highly-anticipated UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Jonatan Giráldez and Sonia Bompastor’s sides went head-to-head at the San Mamés Barria, as the managers each looked to end their tenures as champions of Europe.

The apex predators of their respective domestic leagues, the two European giants would fight to the death for the ultimate title. Entering the final with eight of these very trophies to their name, Bompastor’s Lyon were set to challenge the reigning victors, Giráldez’s Barcelona.

The title-defence of the champions, however, would be strikingly successful, as Lyon fell to a 2-0 defeat thanks to stunning efforts from Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas.

BAR: Coll; Paredes, Paralluelo, Mariona, Graham, Patri, Aitana, Bronze, Rolfö, Walsh, Engen.

OLY: Endler; Carpenter, Gilles, Renard, Bacha, Damaris, Horan, van de Donk, Diani, Dumornay, Cascarino.

A goalless first half

Lyon were the side to get proceedings underway, hoping to continue their dominance over Barcelona, having walked away triumphant from their last four encounters with the Spanish stars.

Striving to successfully complete their conquest, in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten streak, Barcelona were immediately on the front foot. A brilliant run from Caroline Graham Hansen saw her find Salma Paralluelo in the box, but the centre forward’s strike was coolly collected by Christiane Endler.

The Barcelona fans were in strong voice, and the energy was soon mirrored on the pitch as the Liga F winners grew into the game, challenging the Division 1 title-holders in the opening ten minutes. A Lyon corner then saw chaos ensue in the box, and Barcelona struggled to clear a colossal Wendie Renard strike.

With the scoreline still level a quarter of the way through the deciding fixture, Lyon began to threaten the title-holders. Catalina Coll failed to gather a loose ball in the box, but Barcelona soon recovered.

Barcelona’s control over the game quickly manifested in a huge chance for the ‘home’ side. Lyon would do well with a goal-line clearance by Selma Bacha following a desperate save from Endler, and the challengers narrowly escaped unscathed from this round of attack.

The blockbuster clash was a match of end-to-end play, both sides looking ready to pounce at any given opportunity. A header from Renard following a third corner for Lyon to Barcelona’s none, saw Coll called into action once again. The goalkeeper would collect the shot, and Barcelona looked to respond.

Despite Barcelona dominating possession, Lyon looked to be the more threatening side in the final third for the majority of the first half. Giráldez’s side relied heavily on Graham Hansen, who was just relentless on the right wing, often being fed by Lucy Bronze.

Lacking the final product, Barcelona drove towards goal again as the half-time whistle approached, but to no avail. Yet to open the scoring, the defending champions would try again. On this occasion, Lyon were rescued by a clearance from Vanessa Gilles, who had been a force at the back since the first touch of the game.

Second half sees history made

Upon the recommencement of the match following the break, as Barcelona kicked things off, Lyon were quick to push forward. A solid start to the second half for Bompastor’s group saw them appear hopeful, with promising performances all round. Renard was again the danger, her strike following a back-heel pass in the box from Lindsey Horan was over the crossbar once more, much to the frustration of the Lyon supporters.

Barcelona would soon respond, but an Paralluelo’s shot would prove not troublesome enough, as it was blocked by the Lyon backline. The title-defenders were in form, Fridolina Rölfo’s brilliant cross in this instance showing their quality, but overall they had difficulty giving key player Graham Hansen the opportunity to utilise her creative abilities in front of goal.

A free-kick at the edge of the box for Lyon was well-delivered by Bacha, but Bompastor’s side in that moment lacked the necessary composure to put themselves ahead. There was still nothing to separate the two sides at the hour mark.

This was swiftly changed by Aitana Bonmatí in the sixty-second minute, though. With Barcelona chasing their quadruple, the Ballon D’Or holder received the ball well from Mariona Caldentey and made her way goalward. She seamlessly slottedthe ball past Endler as it glided into the back of the net from the left post, well out of the goalkeeper’s reach. Lyon’s backline failed to read the game here, with Ellie Carpenter drawn out by Caldentey and Gilles unable to deny Bonmatí’s shot, as the Spanish international dodged her challenge, having outrun the rest of Lyon’s defence.

For the first time in their history, Barcelona took the lead against Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Bompastor’s side searched for an equaliser, but Giráldez’s Barcelona were not going down without a fight.

Following an injury to Ona Battlle as she chased down Kadidiatou Diani, Coll would make an outstandingly brave save as the goalkeeper did not hesitate to engage in an aerial duel with Lyon’s Lindsey Horan.

Looking to retaliate during the final ten minutes of the planned ninety, Bompastor would bring the competition’s leading goalscorer to the stage, Ada Hegerberg. Trailing behind, the French side create chances, but an athletic Coll will not allow Diani to put one past her.

Lyon continued to search for a goal of their own, but a hefty header from Hegerberg could not find the target. Barcelona would soon be on the counter, with Lyon looking disorganised at the back. Not looking to settle for a 1-0 scoreline, Giràldez’s side was eager to double their lead.

As six minutes of added time ticked by, it seemed to be Barcelona’s day in Bilbao. Already tasting the glory, the leading side combined with excellence in the midfield. Renard further proved to be a stalwart asset to Lyon, but Bompastor’s side could not do enough to give the head coach the send off of dreams.

Captain Putellas was brought on by Giráldez, and she would soon confirm her side’s place as champions. Despite her recent injury challenges, Putellas struck Claudia Pina’s cross gracefully and powerfully, in the fifth minute of added time, sending the ball beyond Endler to secure the manager his farewell victory, and an unprecedented quadruple this season for Barcelona.

An intense battle from start to finish, Barcelona were eventually able to convert, whilst Lyon lacked the finishing product. For the first time, Lyon were defeated in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, by none other than a brilliantly bold Barcelona side.