Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas scored to secure Barcelona’s third Women’s Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over record eight-time winners Lyon on Saturday.
The defending champions, who had previously lost to Lyon in the 2019 and 2022 finals, finally overcame their French rivals in Bilbao, completing a spectacular quadruple this season. This victory also marked coach Jonatan Giraldez’s last match in charge.
Bonmati broke the deadlock after 63 minutes, and substitute Putellas sealed the win in stoppage time, avenging Barcelona’s earlier defeats to Sonia Bompastor’s side.
With this win, Barcelona claimed their third Champions League trophy from five final appearances in the last six seasons, solidifying their status as the new powerhouse in women’s football.
Barcelona’s players, confident in their ability to beat Lyon this time, added experience and mental strength to their undeniable talent. The match, held at a packed San Mames, saw a record crowd of 51,000 fans for a women’s Champions League final.
Giraldez opted to start Mariona Caldentey in attack and moved Fridolina Rolfo to left-back, leaving Ona Batlle and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Putellas on the bench. Lyon also benched Ada Hegerberg, the competition’s all-time top scorer, who has been struggling with form after an injury.
Barcelona faced early pressure as Lucy Bronze deflected a ball onto her own crossbar, and Lyon’s captain Wendie Renard hit the post. However, the Catalans held firm defensively, avoiding the early collapses of their previous finals against Lyon.
Patri Guijarro had the first big chance for Barcelona after half an hour, but her effort was saved by Christiane Endler and cleared off the line by Selma Bacha. Caroline Graham Hansen also threatened Lyon’s defense but dragged her shot wide just before halftime.
Bonmati’s goal in the 63rd minute, deflected off Vanessa Gilles, gave Barcelona the lead. Despite Lyon’s attempts to equalize, including a close miss by Kadidiatou Diani and a header over the bar by Hegerberg, Barcelona maintained their advantage.
Putellas, coming on as a late substitute, confirmed the win by firing into the top corner, igniting Barcelona’s celebrations.
