24 h. ago From Linköping to Lisbon: retracing Blackstenius’s steps to Arsenal icon status

The Sweden attacker has a reputation for delivering in the big moments and her former coaches are not surprisedOf the many enduring images of Arsenal’s celebrations after their Women’s Champions League triumph over Barcelona, one in particular emphasised the magnitude and rarity of the contribution made by their goalscorer, Stina Blackstenius. The Arsenal striker was photographed holding the trophy aloft alongside Alex Scott, the scorer of the only goal in their only previous European final 18 years earlier, and as the pair posed together, it hit home that Blackstenius had scored one of the two biggest goals in the club’s history.The 29-year-old Sweden striker’s name will now be immortalised in Arsenal Women folklore and, despite predominantly playing as a substitute in the past two seasons, she has developed a knack for delivering in the biggest moments, scoring the winner in the 2024 League Cup final and in the 2023 League Cup final. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Why Wuhan’s Asian WCL triumph is much more than a moment of glitter

Inaugural tournament signals a new era for the game and offers cross-confederation competition for victorsContinental club competitions present opportunities like no other. A precious yet highly elusive chance to test one’s mettle against unknown opposition amid unfamiliar surroundings. For players, coaches and their respective clubs alike, this is where many believe true growth occurs.And it wasn’t just Lisbon that played host to these virtues this past weekend as a new dawn for women’s football arose in Asia. The final of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League took place in China with host club, Wuhan Jiangda, edging out Melbourne City after a nerve-racking penalty shootout following a tight, and often physical, 120 minutes of playing time with the score tied at 1-1. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Champions League 2025: All you need to know as 2 giants battle it out for ultimate club prize

It's the season showpiece and all eyes will be on the big match

Sport

65 h. ago Aston Villa’s Champions League miss wasn’t just about one bad call | Jonathan Wilson

Unai Emery’s team will have to make do with the Europa League next season but they were culpable for many of the steps that led them thereSign up for Soccer with Jonathan Wilson hereA season reduced to a single moment – in Aston Villa’s case, perhaps even more than a season. The Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir slid out to gather the ball. He fumbled, slightly, allowing Morgan Rogers to poke the ball away from him. The referee Thomas Bramall thought Bayindir had had the ball under control and blew for a free-kick just before Rogers knocked the ball into the empty net. Replays showed decisively that Bayindir never had the ball under control. But because Bramall had stopped the game before Rogers put the ball over the line, the goal could not be given by the video assistant referee.Three minutes later, Amad Diallo put United ahead, his team went on to win, and Villa finished sixth in the Premier League, meaning they are out of next season’s Champions League. Given how close...

Sport

69 h. ago Juve do just enough to reach Champions League. Will Conte join them there? | Nicky Bandini

There are interesting pieces to build on, but it appears unlikely Igor Tudor will be taking Juventus forwardSerie A’s title race ended on Friday night, but the drama certainly didn’t. Still to be decided were the final qualifiers for all three European competitions, and which teams would join Monza in dropping out of the top division.The six games that could impact those outcomes kicked off simultaneously on Sunday. Within 70 seconds, Daniel Fila had given 19th-placed Venezia the lead over fourth-placed Juventus. A tone-setter for an evening of twists and turns. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago When is the Champions League 2025/26 draw? Man City book spot after beating Fulham

Man City saw off Fulham to secure their place in next season's Champions League

Sport

3 d. ago Inside Arsenal’s Champions League party, including a Jess Glynne concert

Glynne performs in Lisbon and does duet with playerPassionate Josh Kroenke speech praises those involvedA congratulatory speech from Josh Kroenke, an impromptu Jess Glynne concert and appearances from an array of beaming club legends featured on a night of jubilant celebration for ­Arsenal after they won their first women’s European title in 18 years.At a private party in Lisbon that ­continued into the early hours of Sunday after the 1-0 win against ­Barcelona, the club’s co-chair Kroenke is understood to have deli­vered a ­passionate speech ­praising the full team effort that had con­tributed to the long‑awaited ­Women’s Champions League ­triumph, ­reserving ­special praise for the head coach, Renée Slegers, and the head of women’s football, Clare Wheatley, former Arsenal players. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago Made at Arsenal, forged with joy: Chloe Kelly the double Euro champion

Sharing Champions League success with former academy teammates made it even sweeter for revitalised forwardChloe Kelly can’t stop grinning. It almost looks painful to hold your mouth so wide, but this is a pain she will willingly bear and keep bearing. Four months ago the forward was on the ropes, her love of football gone and her chance of making England’s Euro 2025 squad slim. An impasse with Manchester City meant she had started one game all season and, despite their staggering injury crisis, it seemed there was no way back. Now, she is a European champion at club and country level, after a deadline-day loan to Arsenal was forced, in part, by a bold decision to go public with the way she was feeling on social media.“I was ready to take a break from football completely,” Kelly says. “I’m just grateful. As soon as I stepped foot in this club, I found happiness. Renée Slegers, as soon as she got on the phone to me, to give me the opportunity to represent this badge, I wanted to repa...

Sport

4 d. ago ‘Super proud’: Slegers hails Arsenal after Women’s Champions League success

Head coach says Barcelona win was ‘above expectations’‘We had to suffer but were spot on in crucial moments’The Arsenal head coach, Renée Slegers, said her team’s performance was “above all expectations” after they stunned Barcelona to win the Women’s Champions League title in Lisbon.Cited as the major underdogs before kick-off, Arsenal thwarted a Barcelona side who had won three of the past four finals, and won their first women’s European title since 2007 thanks to substitute Stina Blackstenius’ 74th-minute winner. Continue reading...

Sport

4 d. ago Women’s Champions League triumph will redefine how Arsenal see themselves | Jonathan Liew

Gunners’ victory was built on a multi-layered courage that respected but was not overawed by Barcelona or by fatalismThere is always a little more time than you think. A red number 7 blinks across the pitch from the fourth official’s board. Seven minutes of injury time: it’s a lot. Against Barcelona, it’s an age. Against this Barcelona, in this heat, in this game, it may as well be all of eternity.But you push through. You pace yourself. Beth Mead goes down under a challenge; there’s 30 seconds right there. Kim Little rolls the ball up the left touchline to no one: eight seconds. Daphne van Domselaar hesitates over a free-kick, squeezing out those seconds like drops from a towel. You push through because whatever happens in these seven minutes, however those minutes make you suffer, seven minutes is still less than 18 years. Continue reading...

Sport

4 d. ago Arsenal vs Barcelona LIVE: Women's Champions League final result, latest updates and reaction after Gunners win trophy

The Estadio Jose Alvalade hosted an historic the 2025 Women’s Champions League final

Sport

4 d. ago Arsenal win Women’s Champions League in final glory and dethrone Barcelona

Euphoria. Complete and utter euphoria. Stina Blackstenius’s second-half goal stunned the three-time European champions Barcelona to deliver Arsenal’s second European title. On the final whistle it was red and white pandemonium as stunned Gunners seemed to not know what to do with themselves – hugs, tears, disbelief.They started so brightly, playing with the freedom and joy that they had not afforded themselves until they had reached this final. There is nothing to lose once you pass that semi-final hurdle and everything to play for in a one-off game and a free-scoring Barcelona, who scored 128 goals in 30 league games this season, looked slightly shocked by the resistance they faced. Continue reading...

Sport

4 d. ago Sunderland snatch promotion to Premier League by beating Sheffield United in playoff final

Was there a better sight than Luke O’Nien, his right arm cradled in a sling, racing down the touchline, punching the air with his left to celebrate Tommy Watson’s stoppage-time winner? Sunderland stormed back from a goal down after Tyrese Campbell’s first-half opener to return to the Premier League after eight years away.Sunderland’s performance was something of a slow-burner but ultimately found two big moments. The first was courtesy of Eliezer Mayenda, who scored with their second shot on goal, and the second will live long in the memory for both the goalscorer and those here to witness it. Watson, the 19-year-old forward who joined his boyhood club as an under-nine, stroked a wonderful shot into the bottom corner in stoppage time, extra time looming. Eventually, with 102 minutes showing on the big screens, confirmation: Sunderland are back in the big time. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Arsenal vs Barcelona LIVE: Women's Champions League final match stream, latest score and goal updates

The Estadio Jose Alvalade hosts the 2025 Women’s Champions League final

Sport

4 d. ago Arsenal XI vs Barcelona: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Women's Champions League final today

Gunners make some tough decisions for UWCL showpiece in Lisbon

Sport

4 d. ago Arsenal vs Barcelona LIVE: Women's Champions League final match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

The Estadio Jose Alvalade hosts the 2025 Women’s Champions League final

Sport

4 d. ago WCL and Championship playoff finals, Liverpool favourites to sign Wirtz – matchday live

Buildup to today’s major finalsLive scores | Fixtures | Get in touchManchester City wrap up their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a game Pep Guardiola believes is “by far” their most important of the season. City head to Fulham knowing a draw will almost certainly secure a top-five spot and a place in the Champions League for next season.After winning the title in the past four seasons, it is a relatively modest target but Guardiola recognises it is the least of the club’s expectations. The City manager said: “If we want to play in the Champions League, we have to take a result there. This is what we are going to do. Of course, it’s really important.” Asked if it was the most important game of the season, Guardiola said at a press conference: “By far.” Continue reading...

Sport

4 d. ago WCL and Championship playoff finals, Salah named Premier League player of the year– matchday live

Buildup to today’s major finalsLive scores | Fixtures | Get in touchManchester City wrap up their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a game Pep Guardiola believes is “by far” their most important of the season. City head to Fulham knowing a draw will almost certainly secure a top-five spot and a place in the Champions League for next season.After winning the title in the past four seasons, it is a relatively modest target but Guardiola recognises it is the least of the club’s expectations. The City manager said: “If we want to play in the Champions League, we have to take a result there. This is what we are going to do. Of course, it’s really important.” Asked if it was the most important game of the season, Guardiola said at a press conference: “By far.” Continue reading...

Sport

4 d. ago WCL and Championship playoff finals, Ronaldo ‘may play at Club World Cup’ – matchday live

Buildup to today’s major finalsLive scores | Fixtures | Get in touchManchester City wrap up their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a game Pep Guardiola believes is “by far” their most important of the season. City head to Fulham knowing a draw will almost certainly secure a top-five spot and a place in the Champions League for next season.After winning the title in the past four seasons, it is a relatively modest target but Guardiola recognises it is the least of the club’s expectations. The City manager said: “If we want to play in the Champions League, we have to take a result there. This is what we are going to do. Of course, it’s really important.” Asked if it was the most important game of the season, Guardiola said at a press conference: “By far.” Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago Arsenal XI vs Barcelona: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Women's Champions League final today

Gunners with some tough decisions to make for UWCL showpiece in Lisbon

Sport