By Gertrude Tandoh
FC Barcelona outclassed their arch-rivals Olympique Lyonnais Féminin in an epic final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.
A match which was a repeat of the 2019 and 2022 finals saw powerhouses in women’s club competition go head to head in what seemed to be a historic encounter that would set the tone for what seemed to be a meteoric rise in women’s football.
The match was a close encounter, but the better team of the day won it by 2 goals to nothing with stunning goals from two midfield maestros of Fc Barcelona.
The score line of the match at halftime was 0-0, with no team getting the better of the other.
After the half-time break, Barcelona was the more threatening with balls going into the opposition box, and they were rewarded in the 63rd minute as Aitana Bonmati was assisted by Mariona Caldentey and from then on Lyon seemed to be pushing for an equaliser with several threatening balls but none to difficult for the safe hands of Cata Coll as she dealt with all the balls as well as beautifully playing out from the back.
Barcelona seemed nervous, but a goal from the captain Alexia Putellas put the game to bed and ensured that FC Barcelona were retaining the title for the first time in their history.
Although Lyon was threatening with set pieces, they seemed far from their best as it was little difficulty to defend those set pieces.
FC Barcelona saw a lot of the ball both in their half as well as the opponents’ half with they having more possession than their rivals. With all duels, closely won by the Spanish team, it came as no surprise that Lyon was defending in their numbers to protect their goal area.
Olympic Lyonnais posted a lot of threats going forward with the centre halves of Barcelona having to stay to contain their attack as it nearly counted for them on numerous occasions. With the likes of Kadidiatou Diani, Melchi Dumornay, and Cascarinno posing a threat constantly to the backline of FcBarcelona but the pair of Irene Paredes and Ingrid Engen kept them at bay.
Olympic Lyonnais oversaw a lot of blocks as Barcelona was progressing in their box, but they unfortunately had a loophole on their left flank, which was thoroughly used by FC Barcelona to score the two goals which saw them lift the cup.
FC Barcelona was always surging forward as well as playing from the back, something which is their trademark and very so in doing so that is how the two goals came by playing passes and getting the slimmest of chances which they buried it on the day. They were under pressure, mostly when they conceded a set piece that they knew their opponents could take advantage of.
FC Barcelona seemed to relax and play the normal passage football style they are known for, but Los Lyonnais wanted to score and have the upper hand in the game. The introduction of some fresh legs upped the tempo of the game, with both teams seeking to assert dominance over the other. T
The introduction of Alexia Putellas put the icing on the cake in what seemed to be a historic day for her and the team as her goal sealed the win for Fc Barcelona to secure that historic quadruple.
The substitutions from both teams held them in diverse ways as it made Lyon more threatening as it made FC Barcelona also capable of adding to their tally with the additions that were being made. The player of the match was deservedly Aitana Bonmati as she opened the scoring and was dictating play in the middle of the park.
In a post-match interview, Lucy Bronze congratulated the team as well as giving thumbs up to Alexia Putellas, the ‘Queen’ of Barcelona. The fans at the stadium were elated that their team made history for the first time, and there was social media buzz as various dignitaries and platforms congratulated them.
The match was so close till the final whistle and could have gone either, but it was not to be for Olympic Lyonnais.
