Patri Guijarro struck twice as Barcelona produced a surprising comeback to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 and clinch a second Women’s Champions League trophy on Saturday.
The Catalans have been two targets down on the break however hit again strongly to triumph in Eindhoven, with Fridolina Rolfo stroking dwelling the winner with 20 minutes remaining.
Jonatan Giraldez’s aspect have now gained two of the final three finals after incomes their first conquer Chelsea in 2021, persevering with to ascertain themselves as the principle rivals to report eight-time winners Lyon.
Barcelona secured victory with two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas on the bench till the ultimate phases, as she continues to seek out kind after the knee damage which sidelined her for many of the season.
Wolfsburg took the lead after simply three minutes, when Ewa Pajor picked Lucy Bronze’s pocket on the sting of the field and rammed previous Sandra Panos.
The England worldwide had not performed since April, taking surgical procedure on her knee after the semi-final first-leg win over Chelsea, and that rust confirmed.
Goalkeeper Panos might need finished higher too, getting a hand on high scorer Pajor’s effort however not doing sufficient to thwart her ninth strike of the match.
Barcelona defender Irene Paredes ought to have equalised however despatched a free header broad on the far publish from Mapi Leon’s sweetly-delivered nook.
Caroline Graham Hansen, who scored in each legs of the semi-final win over Chelsea, additionally spurned a superb probability from point-blank vary, failing to make stable contact on a cross.
Soon Barcelona paid the value for his or her profligacy, with Wolfsburg netting the second on the counter-attack.
Veteran ahead Alexandra Popp outmuscled Leon off the ball, which Barcelona have been sad about, earlier than darting into the field to move dwelling the second from Pajor’s cross.
Putellas described final season’s last defeat by Lyon as traumatic and Barcelona got here out all weapons blazing after the break to make sure it didn’t occur once more.
Guijarro netted twice within the area of 109 seconds early within the second half to tug the sport stage.
First she completed effectively from Graham Hansen’s cut-back, with the Norwegian winger making amends for her first-half miss by blazing into the field and teeing up her team-mate.
Then Guijarro headed dwelling after Aitana Bonmati skinned Pajor and whipped in a cross from the appropriate.
Wolfsburg have been rocking and Barcelona’s third felt virtually inevitable, arriving after defender Lynn Wilms blasted the ball at team-mate Kathrin Hendrich in her personal six-yard field.
Barcelona ahead Mariona Caldentey miskicked the free ball with a clear sight of objective however managed to nudge it on to Rolfo, who made no mistake together with her end.
Tommy Stroot’s crew couldn’t discover a method again into the sport, damaged by Barcelona’s comeback, and the Spanish champions held on via seven minutes of added time to triumph.
Wolfsburg have now misplaced in 4 finals since they final gained the trophy in 2014, as their look forward to glory continues, whereas Barcelona proceed to soar.