It took less than 10 minutes for Stina Blackstenius to make her mark on the biggest stage.
The Arsenal striker, alongside veteran forward Beth Mead, proved the difference as Arsenal captured its second UEFA Women’s Champions League title, defeating the reigning champions Barcelona 1-0 in Portugal.
From the whistle, Arsenal put the pressure on the attack-minded Barcelona side, giving them little time to find answers or make something of their time in the final third.
Here are the key takeaways as Arsenal made European history against perennial winners.
Arsenal’s crucial second-half subs
As well as Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord started the game, there was always going to be time for Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius.
Both players were better suited to coming into the game off the bench, and head coach Renee Slegers, in her first year as head coach of Arsenal, will be thankful that her defence stood strong against Barca’s second-half onslaught to give her substitutes a chance to win the game.
Blackstenius’ running in behind has been an asset to Arsenal since she joined in January 2022, and helped turn the momentum of this final. Her finish was extremely well taken across goal, and is now the third goal she has scored for the club in a cup final after her strikes against Chelsea…
