Women's Champions League | Final

May 24, 2025 at 5pm UK

Estadio Jose Alvalade

Arsenal vs Barcelona

Match preview

The showdown in the Portuguese capital is Arsenal's last chance to win a trophy this season. They finished second in the Women's Super League, were knocked out of the Women's FA Cup in the quarter-finals and lost in the semi-finals of the Women's League Cup.

Although they have missed out on domestic success, they have secured their place in their second European final by topping their group with five wins and just one defeat, and staging impressive comebacks to defeat Real Madrid and Lyon in the knockout phase.

Renee Slegers' side overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg with a 3-0 home win to eliminate Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. They then bounced back from a 2-1 defeat against Lyon at the Emirates Stadium with a memorable trip to France on 27 April.

Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord all scored following an own goal by Christiane Endler to secure the Gunners a 4-1 victory and end the club's 18-year wait for a UWCL final appearance.

Arsenal will have fond memories of their last European final in 2006–07, when Alex Scott scored the only goal in the two-legged tie against Umeå, helping the Gunners become the first and only English club to win the UWCL.

However, the North London club's preparation for the final has been mixed, with defeats to Aston Villa (5-2) and Brighton (4-2), followed by an entertaining 4-3 win over Manchester United on the final day of the WSL season.

Having conceded 13 goals in three matches, the Gunners know they must improve defensively if they are to stand any chance of beating a Barcelona side that has scored 44 goals in 10 UWCL matches this season.

Unlike their hosts, Barcelona have become accustomed to lifting the Women's Champions League trophy in recent years, having won the competition three times in the last four seasons, including the last two editions.

Barcelona's latest run to the final began with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in their opening group game. However, they responded emphatically, winning their next nine games to reach a record-equalling fifth consecutive final.

The Blaugrana eased to a 10–2 aggregate victory over Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals before recording 4–1 wins in both legs of their semi-final tie against WSL champions Chelsea. This result further reinforced the belief that Barcelona remain the team to beat in Europe.

They certainly remain the standard setters in Spain, having recently claimed a sixth consecutive Liga F title and adding to the Spanish Super Cup they won earlier this season.

Pere Romeu's side are looking to achieve the quadruple, with finals to come in the UWCL and Copa de la Reina. They will certainly fancy their chances of achieving this feat, having won each of their last 10 competitive matches and scored at least four goals in eight of them.

Although Barcelona suffered heavy defeats in their first two meetings with Arsenal in 2012, they will have fond memories of their two group stage encounters in the 2021–22 competition, when they followed a 4–1 home win with a 4–0 away victory.

The reigning European champions know that they are just one game away from becoming the second club to lift three consecutive UWCL trophies, and the third club to win the competition on four occasions.

Recent Performance

Arsenal Women Women's Champions League form:WWLWLW

Arsenal Women form (all competitions):WLWLLW

Barcelona Women Women's Champions League form:WWWWWW

Barcelona Women form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Team News

Arsenal could be without defender Katie Reid and forward Lina Hurtig, while goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who has missed the last three matches through injury, is a doubt.

If Van Domselaar is unable to prove her fitness in time for the final, Austria international Manuela Zinsberger will retain her place between the posts.

Caldentey, who has won three European titles with Barcelona, could be one of Arsenal's key players on Saturday. She has scored four goals in her last five appearances and seven in the UWCL main draw this season.

Barcelona, meanwhile, will be without Portugal international Kika Nazareth, who has been out since March with an ankle injury.

Esmee Brugts and Claudia Pina are pushing for recalls after scoring as substitutes in Sunday's 6-0 win over Athletic Club on the final day of the Liga F season.

Having scored two goals in each of her last three appearances, Pajor will be looking to add to her tally of 42 goals this season when she leads the line against Arsenal.

Possible starting lineup

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:

Zinsberger; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Maanum, Little, Caldentey; Kelly, Foord; Russo

Barcelona Women possible starting lineup:

Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Leon, Brugts; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Graham Hansen, Pina, Pajor