The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Barcelona v Lyon LIVE: Women’s Champions League final score and result as Alexia Putellas goal seals win
Bilbao’s San Mames staged a blockbuster Women’s Champions League final as holders Barcelona beat eight-time winners Lyon
Second-half goals from Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas earned Barcelona a 2-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais in the Women’s Champions League final, their second straight victory in the competition.
Barca, who beat Vfl Wolfsburg 3-2 in last year’s final, came into the game seeking to go one better than their 2019 and 2022 finals against French powerhouse Lyon, which they lost 4-1 and 3-1 respectively.
Bonmati, who won the Ballon d’Or and Fifa Best Women’s Player award for 2023, struck in the 63rd minute with a shot from a tight angle which deflected off Lyon’s Vanessa Gilles past keeper Christiane Endler.
With their fans vastly outnumbered at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Lyon sent on Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg but the competition’s record goal-scorer was unable to find the net and Putellas came off the bench and netted a stoppage-time goal to seal Barcelona’s win.
Follow live reaction from the Women’s Champions League final in Bilbao after Barcelona beat Lyon, or watch live and free on DAZN
Barcelona 0-0 Lyon
13 mins: Dumornay is proving a real threat already for Lyon. She robs Bonmati of the ball outside the Barcelona area and feeds wide to Cascarino, but Bonmati recovers to put it behind for a corner.
There are whistles and jeers every time Lyon touch the ball.
Barcelona 0-0 Lyon
10 mins: Another run from Hansen down the right! This time the winger goes wide, her cross goes all the way and Rolfo shoots wide at the back post!
Barcelona 0-0 Lyon
5 mins: A lively start in Bilbao! Barcelona create their first chance as Caroline Graham Hansen flies forward down the right wing, before squaring to Salma Paralluelo. The forward’s shot is straight at Christine Endler.
4’ - Barcelona 0-0 Lyon
Bright start by the French side, looking to take the game to their Spanish rivals. Lucy Bronze does well to clear one ball from inside the six-yard box in particular.
At the other end Paralluelo sees a chance fall her way on the stretch after a great run from Graham, but it’s a comfortable save.
Barcelona vs Lyon LIVE
Underway in Bilbao!
The Women’s Champions League final has begun.
Barcelona vs Lyon LIVE: Women’s Champions League final latest updates
How to watch the Women’s Champions League final
You can watch Barcelona face Lyon in the Women’s Champions League final, live and free on DAZN.
Barcelona vs Lyon LIVE: Women’s Champions League final latest updates
Barcelona are aiming to win the quadruple for the first time in the club’s history, having already secured Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup.
Warm-ups are done and kick-off is fast approaching at the San Mames.
Barcelona vs Lyon LIVE: Women’s Champions League final latest updates
Another eruption of noise from the Barcelona fans as the outfield players come out to warm up. The Barcelona fans are dominating the San Mames, filling every section apart from a couple of pockets of Lyon white behind the far goal.
And the ground isn’t even full yet. It’s going to be incredible at kick off.
Barcelona vs Lyon LIVE: Women’s Champions League final latest updates
A remarkable welcome for the Barcelona bus at the San Mames, with fans lining the streets in Bilbao for their arrival.
Amazing!
Why the best team in the world is only just getting started
“It’s not just winning,” Vicky Losada, the former Barcelona captain who led the Catalan side to their first Women’s Champions League title in 2021, tells The Independent. “For us it’s how you win, the way you play.” It was how Barcelona produced the core of the Spain team that won its first Women’s World Cup, a group of players who grew up together learning to play in Barcelona’s specific style. “They were teaching us the Barca way,” Losada says as she remembers the messages she grew up hearing at the training grounds. “Always enjoying the ball, asking for the ball.”
Spain, with its huge football culture, was always likely to be taken by the explosion of popularity of the women’s game, but an institution like Barcelona, with its world-record crowds at the Camp Nou, always had the capacity to take it further. There are now the first female boarders at La Masia, a tradition that goes back generations in the men’s team.
Spain are also world champions at Under-20 and Under-17s. Their Under-17s thrashed England just two weeks ago to become European champions, as well. “It feels like it’s the start of it,” Losada agrees. “There is more to come.”
Why the best team in the world is only just getting started
As a clear identity and football philosophy combine with the growing popularity of women’s football in Spain and the famous La Masia academy, are Champions League finalists Barcelona set to dominate for years to come? By Jamie Braidwood in Bilbao
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments