Arsenal stuns Barcelona to win the Women's Champions League

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Red-and-white streamers exploded into the air as Arsenal lifted its second Women's Champions League trophy after stunning defending champion Barcelona 1-0 in the final on Saturday.

Tough defense and a goal by Stina Blackstenius in the 75th minute from a pass by fellow second-half substitute Beth Mead powered Arsenal to glory at Estádio José Alvalade.

Arsenal’s title came 18 years after it became the first — and still the only — English club to win the top club title in women’s soccer.

Arsenal’s players embraced on the final whistle and ran to celebrate in front of the corner of the stands where their supporters reveled in the shock result.

“We had to be basically perfect to beat Barcelona," Arsenal captain Kim Little said. "Our players who came on today had an incredible impact.”

Little and Leah Williamson raised the trophy and streamers and glittering confetti shot over the podium. Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Mariona Caldentey, who played for Barcelona until this season, consoled Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí before she stepped up to collect her fourth Champions League winner’s medal.

Barcelona was the heavy favorite. It was aiming for a fourth title in five years and to become the only team other than Lyon to win three consecutive titles. The team led by two-time Ballon d’Or winners Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas won nine straight in the competition and blew out Wolfsburg and English champion Chelsea in the knockout rounds.

But Arsenal locked down in defense — except for early in the second half — and created the best chances. Only two superb saves by Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll to deny Frida Maanum and Blackstenius kept it scoreless until Blackstenius finally beat her.

The victory marks an incredible finish to a rocky season for Arsenal, which included coach Jonas Eidevall resigning and being replaced by assistant Renée Seglers.

Since taking over, Seglers steered the team through a spectacular European campaign. Arsenal built its confidence from come-from-behind wins over Real Madrid and eight-time champion Lyon in the knockout rounds before laying low the almighty Barcelona.

Seglers delivered a masterful coaching performance in the final, getting her substitutions right and devising a way to stop the highest scoring team in the tournament.

“What we did so well was using all possible tools to speed the game up, to disrupt it, but to stay true to who we are. This was key to why we won today," Seglers said. “Barcelona are so good, but we tried to exploit weaknesses where we could. We said beforehand that the midfield of Barcelona was the engine. So we wanted to stop them.”

Arsenal defender Katie McCabe said it was all about the work rate the entire side put in. That started up front, where England striker Alessia Russo was a rock for Arsenal, using her size to win balls and keep the attack going.

“We respect them but we can’t give them too much respect either,” McCabe told The Associated Press. “We needed to put pressure on them and we know we are a really good pressing team and our frontline and the midfield really worked their socks off today.”

The loss was a huge disappointment for the more than 15,000 Barcelona fans who filled the stadium that is home to Sporting Lisbon. Blue-and-burgundy shirts and flags outnumbered the red-and-white section, but their calls of “Yes we can!” in the final minutes weren’t enough to inspire a comeback by the Catalan club.

The closest Barcelona came to a goal was a shot by Claudia Pina that hit the crossbar just after halftime when the Spanish team had its best period. Otherwise, the game was to Arsenal’s liking.

Bonmatí was the only Barcelona player who seemed to be in the flow before halftime. Her dribble moves through the middle created a few threats and kept Arsenal on guard in defense. Leah Willamson blocked her best shot deep in the box in the 12th.

“I feel sadness and frustration for our fans," Bonmatí said. "I love this club's colors as much as they do, and they travelled here in their thousands to support us. I'm sorry that we didn't give them what we all wanted. But we'll be back.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

From left, Arsenal's Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley and Lia Walti pose with the winner trophy after their team won the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati walks past the winner trophy during the podium ceremony after Arsenal won the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Arsenal players celebrate with their trophy after winning the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Arsenal's Kim Little, centre, holds the trophy as she celebrates with her teammates after winning the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, left, is comforted by Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey at the end of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Arsenal players celebrate at the end of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Arsenal players celebrate after winning the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, right, greets Arsenal's Leah Williamson at the end of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Barcelona's Alexia Putellas gestures during the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Arsenal players celebrate after winning the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, third from right, celebrates with her teammates after scoring her side's opening goal during the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)

The trophy is displayed on the field before the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati uses her smart phone at the pitch prior to the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Arsenal's Beth Mead controls the ball during warm up before the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati works out during a training session, on the eve of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona, at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, center, plays the ball with team players during a training session, on the eve of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona, at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati plays the ball during a training session, on the eve of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona, at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

An Arsenal fan waves a flag at Lisbon's riverside Comercio square, on the eve of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona in Lisbon, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)

Barcelona fans wave flags at Lisbon's riverside Comercio square, on the eve of the women's Champions League final soccer match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona in Lisbon, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state of the battleground state.

Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.” His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner, Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The secretary of state is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.

“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.

As Whitmer’s second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.

Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.

The inclusion of a well-known independent candidate has created a new problem for Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding costly primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party slammed the former Democrat last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies.

In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination.

In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.

Michigan does not hold primary elections for the secretary of state position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.

State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention March 28 and GOP figures chasing the party's nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.

In addition to the office of the governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be selecting a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.

FILE - Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II waits before the State of the State address, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, file)