UK (Commonwealth) _ A perfect coda to an incredible season. After their domestic clean sweep, Barcelona’s victory over Lyon in Bilbao clinched a historic quadruple of trophies and gave them back-to-back UEFA Women’s Champions League crowns. The Catalans defeated Lyon for the first time in their history, with goals from Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.
In the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, Barcelona defeated Lyon 2-0 thanks to goals in the second half from Alexandra Putellas and Itana BonmatÃ. This was Barcelona’s second straight success in the competition.
During the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 Final match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at San Mames Stadium on May 25, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain, Aitana Bonmati of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring her team’s first goal.
After defeating Lyon 2-0 in Bilbao, Barcelona won their third UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy and, for the first time in their history, kept the trophy. On the sixty-third minute, Aitana Bonmati scored the first goal after Maria Caldentey slipped her through, providing the ideal farewell present for manager Jonatan Giraldez, who was leaving.
Late in the game, Alexia Putellas—Barca’s all-time top scorer and captain plagued by injuries—came off the bench to extend the team’s lead. She scored with her left foot and celebrated by pulling her shirt over her head and a bow to her devoted followers.
Sonia Bompastor’s tenure as Lyon’s manager came to an end, but it was bittersweet because the team lost to Barcelona for the first time ever. With the help of their midfield master Bonmati and their dangerous teenage starlet Salma Paralluelo, who was a thorn in the side of the French champions from her advanced position, the Catalans played the superior football throughout, and they completely deserved to win.
There were plenty of opportunities in a contest when both teams were reckless. In the first half, Mariona Caldentey’s attempt was taken off the line, then Wendie Renard, the captain of Lyon, scored a spectacular goal after being given too much room in the Barcelona box. This was Barcelona’s second straight success in the competition.
As Lyon attempted to get back into the game, Kadidiatou Diani’s curler was not far away. However, Putellas, as she so frequently does, nicked it at the last second to secure an incredible quadruple for Giraldez’s Culers.
These titans of women’s football must turn to the future since both of their technical area managers—Bombastor to Chelsea and Giraldez to Washington Spirit—have left for greener pastures.
Maintaining the star-studded team at Barcelona will undoubtedly be key, as will nurturing the next generation of players like Claudia Pina, Esmee Brugts, and Paralluelo—the latter two of whom will likely make late substitution appearances.
If Lyon wishes to add another championship to their record-breaking collection, they will have to start again from scratch. Lindsay Horan maintained her poise in the middle of the pitch, while both Ellie Carpenter and Selma Bacha are reliable full-backs with good crossing ability.
Melchie Dumornay, the French champions’ primary attacker, is maturing into her job, and the upcoming project has to be focused on maximizing her potential. She gave another amazing performance, displaying all of her energy, persistence, and complexity. She is the whole deal.
She was determined to follow through on her first pass, and she got the return from Caldentey for the vital first goal. She finished coolly, albeit a little unlucky. The first half ended 0-0. At the opposite end, Mariona Caldentey’s saved shot ricocheted goalward, forcing Lyon’s Vanessa Gilles to clear the ball off the line. Caroline Graham Hansen also came dangerously near to scoring.
As Barça gained greater control over the game, Bonmati—who was named the 2023 FIFA Best Women’s Player and Ballon d’Or—broke the tie in the 63rd minute with a close-range drive that rebounded off Lyon’s Gilles and went past goalkeeper Christiane Endler.
Ada Hegerberg, a Norwegian striker, was brought on by Lyon, but despite having a few good opportunities, the competition’s top goal scorer—who had struggled with injuries for much of the season—was unable to score. Putellas, who had been having trouble with a nagging knee injury, scored a goal in stoppage time to give Barcelona the victory.
