OSLO, Norway (AP) — Barcelona rose again to the peak of European soccer by routing its most storied rival OL Lyonnes 4-0 in an overwhelming second-half display in the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday.
A four-time European champion in just six seasons, Barcelona is a dynasty in women’s soccer replacing Lyon which dominated the previous decade and has a record eight titles.
Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor lost in her first five visits to the European title match but the former Wolfsburg star made her sixth attempt count with two goals.
Pajor struck with an arrowing low shot in the 55th minute and a close-range finish in the 69th when the Barcelona attack was queuing up to score past the stretched Lyon defense.
“This is amazing, the best day of my life,” the 29-year-old Pajor said. “I’ve played in six finals and finally, in Oslo, we did it.”
Salma Paralluelo turned the screw on Lyon by firing in a rising left-foot shot in the 90th and adding another slick finish in stoppage time.
The decisive first goal was created by a surging 40-yard run and assist by Patri Guijarro, often overlooked in a stellar midfield alongside Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas.
Barcelona has swept all four domestic and international trophies this season.
One year ago, Barcelona was denied another trophy sweep by a surprising 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the final.
In the dugout on Saturday it was a victory for a former assistant over his one-time boss.
Barcelona coach Pere Romeu was an assistant to Jonatan Giráldez, now with Lyon, when the Catalan giant won back-to-back Champions Leagues in 2023 and ’24.
Lyon’s bright start
It was a cruel end for Lyon which also was seeking a quadruple of trophies this season and impressed early. Lyon stifled Barcelona’s intent to control play with neat passing, and was typically strong with set-pieces.
Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll saved well in the first half from Wendie Renard’s header and a free kick by left back Selma Bacha that curled toward the top corner.
“It was a team win, Cata saved us early on, and then the whole team pitched in,” Barcelona coach Romeu said.
Almost inevitably in modern soccer, a VAR intervention changed the flow of the game — though it was needed by Barcelona to spot an offside missed by the match officials.
Heaps’ sad ending
When Renard’s header in the 14th was pushed out by Coll, Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps poked the loose ball into the goal from three yards. The United States captain advanced beyond Renard when the header was struck but the offside was only confirmed one minute later as Barcelona waited to kick off.
Heaps was consoled by Barcelona’s stars after playing one of her last games for Lyon. She is returning home to join Denver Summit, an expansion team in the NWSL.
Pajor’s game of two halves
The Poland star flipped her own script after enduring a ragged first half. Pajor twice shot wide of goal when in clear space to shoot.
The first time was in the 18th with a 22-yard lob toward an unguarded goal after miscommunication between Renard and the advancing goalkeeper Christiane Endler. The ball bounced into the side netting on the wrong side of the post.
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