BY OSABUOHIEN IVIAN-ROSE
Barcelona produced a stunning second-half performance to defeat Olympique Lyonnais Féminin 4-0 in the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, securing their fourth European title in dominant fashion.
After surviving heavy early pressure from the French giants, Barca came alive after the break as Polish striker Ewa Pajor scored twice before Salma Paralluelo added a late brace to seal an emphatic victory.
Lyon thought they had opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Lindsey Heaps bundled the ball home after goalkeeper Cata Coll failed to hold a header from captain Wendie Renard. However, VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The eight-time champions controlled much of the first half, forcing Barcelona onto the back foot and limiting their usual possession-heavy style. Despite Lyon’s dominance, they struggled to seriously test Coll and paid the price after halftime.
Barcelona struck first in the 55th minute when Patri Guijarro won possession deep inside her own half before driving forward and finding Pajor, who fired home from a tight angle.
Pajor doubled the lead 14 minutes later after Lyon’s defence switched off, allowing the striker to finish clinically from close range after a delivery from Esmee Brugts.
The second goal drained Lyon’s momentum completely, and Barcelona took full control in the closing stages. Paralluelo capped the performance with a brilliant long-range strike in the 90th minute before adding another on the counterattack three minutes later.
Barcelona supporters erupted into chants of “Campeones!” long before the final whistle as the Spanish side celebrated another memorable European triumph.
The victory carried extra emotion for Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen, who lifted the trophy in her hometown near Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium.
“This is my home ground. I grew up here and know every metre of this pitch,” Graham Hansen said. “To win here in front of so many Barcelona fans makes it even more special.”
Meanwhile, Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg admitted her side failed to make the most of their opportunities.
“It wasn’t our day,” Hegerberg said. “We couldn’t really exploit the spaces behind them, and that made the difference.”
