Barcelona Femeni beat Lyon to claim a third Women's Champions League title

Third time was the charm for Barcelona Femeni as the Catalan side were finally able to slay the beast known as Lyon and claim a third Women's Champions League title.

The two best sides in Europe played to a goalless first half with Barcelona trying to stay true to their style and almost succeeded on a couple of occasions though that final pass or touch was lacking. On the other side, Lyon were comfortable in ceding posession to Barcelona and trying to hit quickly once they recovered the ball.

The eight-time European champions certainly showed their guile and demonstrated that they only needed a little to threaten the Barcelona goal.

The script remained the same at the start of the second half with neither team making any substitutions.

The breakthrough came from Barcelona in the 63rd minute. Playing down the left, Mariona Caldentey spotted the run from Bonmatí who made her way inside the box. She struck the ball, which took a deflection on its way to the back of the net.

The heavily partisan crowd at the San Mamés erupted into a frenzy.

Barcelona got the goal they wanted and with a little bit of luck. something they didn't have the last time these two sides met, pulled ahead.

Finding themselves trailing, Lyon knew they needed an equalizer and Sonia Bompastor
didn't hesitate in making her subs including bringing on striker Ada Hegerberg. Lyon got close on a couple of occasions but Barcelona's defense held firm.

With six minutes of added time, Barcelona manager Jonatan Giráldez made some late subs to try to eat out the clock and brought on Alexia Putellas and Claudia Pina.

In the fifth minute of added time, his substitutions paid off.

Barcelona recovered the ball and Pina received it, again down the left. She spotted Putellas and laid the ball off for her, who slotted the ball underneath the crossbar to seal the victory for the Catalan side.

As the final whistle blew, the Barcelona players ran onto the pitch as they finally did what they sought out to do two seasons ago: Beat Lyon.

"La tercera es la vencida" or "third time's the charm" and it was exactly that for Barcelona who completed a "poker," winning a European title and three domestic trophies.

Giráldez and Sandra Paños, who both are leaving at the end of the season, will leave in style.
Giráldez in particular, having won 10 titles in his three-year stint.

Barcelona Femeni made history and did it in their own backyard so to speak. Beating Lyon was something significant. It not only meant a third Champions League title -- two in a row-- but perhaps it also served as a passing of the guard with Barcelona now becoming the team to beat in Europe.