Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Barcelona win UWCL after five-goal thriller

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 03 June 2023 11:59

Barcelona recovered from two goals down as they beat VfL Wolfsburg 3-2 to win the UEFA Women's Champions League on Saturday in a thrilling final at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven.

Fridolina Rolfo struck the winner in the 70th minute after Patri Guijarro had scored twice in two minutes at the start of the second half as Barca fought back to claim the trophy for the second time in three years.

Goals from Ewa Pajor and Alexandra Popp had given two-time winners Wolfsburg a comfortable lead going into half-time, but the German side collapsed after the break as Barca ramped up the pressure.

Barca were appearing in their fourth final in the last five years and the manner of their comeback will give way to arguments that they are now the dominant team in European football.

Lyon will rightly contest that, though. They have won six of the last eight Champions Leagues and have never lost in the competition to Barca, who they beat in the 2019 and 2022 finals.

However, Jonatan Giraldez's side are here to stay. They won a fourth straight Liga F title in Spain, too, and recently saw a 64-game unbeaten streak in the league ended.

Wolfsburg's season, meanwhile, ends in disappointment. They also missed out on the Frauen-Bundesliga, pipped to top spot by Bayern Munich, although they did win the DFB-Pokal Frauen.

"I am so emotional ... I never thought this would happent," Rolfo said postmatch. "At 2-0, at the beginning, I thought we can do it. It was really hard, but we showed so much mentality today and I am so proud of the team."

Barca, who beat Wolfsburg 5-3 on aggregate in last year's semifinal, were favourites going into the game but produced a first half performance which brought back memories of last year's final defeat to Lyon, when they trailed 3-0 after 33 minutes.

It took just three minutes for Wolfsburg to open the scoring. Lucy Bronze was caught on the ball by Poland forward Pajor, who smashed home her ninth goal in this season's competition from the edge of the box.

Irene Paredes and Caroline Graham Hansen both missed great chances to level before Barca were once again caught out at the back. Popp outmuscled Mapi Leon to find space in the box and head home Pajor's cross in the 37th minute, scoring in her fourth Champions League final.

Salma Paralluelo almost pulled one back before half-time, but she was denied by a fine save by Merle Frohms. Frohms could not come to Wolfsburg's rescue in the second half, though, as they buckled under intense pressure in the first five minutes after the break.

Graham Hansen did brilliantly to set up Guijarro to turn home in the 48th minute and, two minutes later, the midfielder added her second goal of the game, heading in an Aitana Bonmati cross.

Barca took control of the ball from there, but Wolfsburg remained a threat on the break. Pajor twice drew saves from Sandra Panos.

The Spanish champions always looked the more likely to go on and win the game, though, and that proved the case when Sweden international Rolfo took advantage of some hesitant defending to rifle home against her former side with 20 minutes to play and settle the final.

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who only recently returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, came off the bench late on to help Barca see out seven minutes of stoppage time to spark celebrations among the more than 10,000 Blaugrana supporters in Eindhoven.

"I think this game had every emotion you could possibly have," Graham Hansen said. "From two goals down, then we score two quick goals and then you have to wait... but champions again. I am so happy.

"At half-time, 2-0 down, I had a big flashback from the last final, and it was like, it's not going to happen again. We go out there and turn the game around and win it."

Read 118 times

Soccer

Poch: Playing in MLS no barrier to U.S. selection

Poch: Playing in MLS no barrier to U.S. selection

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. LOUIS -- United States manager Mauricio Pochettino said that Am...

Marta nets stellar goal, sends Pride to NWSL final

Marta nets stellar goal, sends Pride to NWSL final

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Orlando Pride advanced to their first NWSL championship with a...

Kane: England youth give Tuchel incredible options

Kane: England youth give Tuchel incredible options

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHarry Kane said incoming England coach Thomas Tuchel has been boost...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Grizzlies rookie Edey leaves win with ankle injury

Grizzlies rookie Edey leaves win with ankle injury

EmailPrintMemphis Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey exited during the second half of Sunday's win ov...

Cavs (15-0) stay unbeaten despite resting Mitchell

Cavs (15-0) stay unbeaten despite resting Mitchell

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Darius Garland scored 25 points, Ty Jerome matched his...

Baseball

Ted Williams' 1946 MVP award sells for over $500K

Ted Williams' 1946 MVP award sells for over $500K

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA rare souvenir postcard picturing Hank Aaron as a rookie with the...

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated