2023-06-03 17:45:10
FC Barcelona has won the Women’s Soccer Champions League for the second time since 2021. On Saturday followingnoon at the PSV stadium in Eindhoven, which was sold out with 34,147 spectators, the Spanish champions retained the upper hand 3:2 in the final once morest VfL Wolfsburg following a 2-0 deficit at the break and a great comeback. Germany’s runner-up has had to wait since 2014 for the third title win in the “premier class”. They had also previously triumphed in 2013.
After goals from Ewa Pajor (3rd), who secured the top scorer’s crown this season with nine goals, and Alexandra Popp (37th), there were many indications of a surprise in the final. However, the Catalans came out of the dressing room transformed, put on a power play and equalized with a lightning brace from Patri Guijarro (48′, 50′). As if that weren’t enough, Fridolina Rolfö (70′) scored the winning goal, of all people, from a former Wolfsburg player.
“This game mightn’t be surpassed in terms of emotions. I’m just extremely happy. We were 2-0 down at the break, I felt like I was transported back to last year’s final once morest Lyon (note: the score at the break and the final score was 1-3), I but thought it wouldn’t happen once more,” said attacking player Caroline Graham Hansen. According to defender Lucy Bronze, they knew they had enough quality to get back into the game. “We never had any doubts that we might score three goals, that’s the talent that this team has,” said the 31-year-old from England.
The game might not have started better for Wolfsburg. Pajor won the ball in a duel with Lucy Bronze, pulled into the middle and hit the corner from almost 20 meters following 2:58 minutes. It was Sandra Panos’ turn, but she mightn’t save the ball. Irene Paredes should have equalized with a header, but missed the goal on the second post (13′). In this way, VfL was able to extend the lead. This time, Pajor shone as an assistant, and Popp headed in her cross from just over five yards out. Barcelona were initially unlucky in the end, Wolfsburg goalkeeper Merle Frohms saved in a duel with Salma Paralluelo (45 + 2).
After the restart, the ball ran like clockwork for the Spaniards and efficiency was suddenly there. Guijarro first shot in following unselfish preliminary work by the strong Caroline Graham Hansen and a short time later head and shoulder following a Bonmati cross. On the other side, only Pajor managed to get a dangerous shot (69′). In return, the game was decided. Mariona Caldentey was twice unskilled in the end, but then the ball landed following a Wolfsburg player had shot another, via detours at Rolfö, who did not miss this opportunity.
Only in the 90th minute did the winners, who had to do without top striker Asisat Oshoala due to injury, come onto the field with twice world footballer Alexia Putellas. After that it got pretty rough, but the victory of the favorites wasn’t really in danger anymore. In contrast to the 1: 3 once morest Lyon 2022, Barca had a happy ending once more in the final. Pajor was denied that, as in 2016, 2018 and 2020 ( once morest Lyon) she had to accept a bitter final defeat with VfL.
“We were so close. It really hurts right now,” said VfL player Svenja Huth. And her teammate Kathrin Hendrich added: “It’s super annoying because we’ve invested a lot. But Barça are the deserved winners.” Coach Tommy Stroot looked back on a “great game with high individual quality”. “It was promotion for women’s football. Congratulations to Barcelona. When we were 2-0 at the break, we had the opponent exactly where we wanted them to be. After the break, they came forward twice with full power. In the last 30 minutes it was it was a very open match,” summed up the 34-year-old German.
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