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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sarah Rendell

Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg: Women’s Champions League final 2023 – as it happened

Fridolina Rolfo (second left) and Barcelona celebrate taking the lead.
Fridolina Rolfo (second left) and Barcelona celebrate taking the lead. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images

Thank you so much for joining me for this sensational final! It was a game of two halves with Pajor and Popp sending Wolfsburg 2-0 up at half-time but Guijarro and Rolfo ensured Barcelona raised the trophy in a sensational comeback. For all the action read the report below. Thank you for reading all the Women’s Champions League coverage this season, fancy doing it all again next season? We’ll see you there.

Lucy Bronze told Dazn: “We made it hard for ourselves in the first half. I don’t think we were ever worried about scoring three goals, that’s the talent of this team. We made it really difficult defensively. It was difficult for myself and Rolfo, I came back for the first time and I’m so happy to play my part.”

Sweet Caroline is now over the speakers, is this just all of football’s anthem now? It is played at every game now.

Ewa Pajor may not have been able to lift the Champions League trophy but she does get the top scorer award for this season. She added her ninth in today’s final, her opener shocked Barca in the first half.

The win means Chelsea will go straight into the group stage next season, rather than having to go through qualification. Lucy Bronze has also become the first Englishwoman to win the Champions League with two different clubs.

Different players are now being given the trophy and they get their chance to lift it. Queen’s ‘We are the champions’ is blasted, the team sings along and the fans act as back-up singers.

Putellas is given the trophy, she kisses it as she walks over to her team. She gees up her team before lifting it aloft, the confetti cannons are triggered and the famous Champions League anthem is played. A special moment for a special team.

Keira Walsh has now won her first Champions League trophy, a great move last summer from Manchester City for her.

Now Barcelona are going up for their winners medals and then the trophy lift will follow.

The players are still in tears, on reflection I think they’ll realise what an amazing fight they put in. I think many were expecting Barcelona to run away with the final but Wolfsburg really took it to them.

Sarina Wiegman has placed the trophy out before the medal presentation. Wolfsburg are getting their runners-up medals, so crushing for them. Barca have made a guard of honour for them, a nice touch by the winners.

Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh have spotted Jill Scott, who is in the stadium as a pundit, and they have ran and hugged her. Scott says to her former England teammates: “I’m so happy for you”.

Kari said over email: “Before today, the answer to the questions as to which Women’s Champions League final was the best had a simple answer, the 2014 4-3 classic between Wolfsburg and Tyresö. But I think this might’ve outdone it, though Wolfsburg fans and players will remember it less fondly.” Does everyone agree?

Here are the three cracking second half goals from Barca:

Updated

Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen told Dazn: “This game had every emotion it possibly could have. I am so happy. 2-0 down I had a big flashback from the last final and I was like ‘this is not happening again’.”

Rolfo, who scored the winner against her former team, has spoken to Dazn and said: “I am out of words, I am so emotional. I never thought this would happen. We showed so much mentality today. We had the ball but they scored two goal but we had to continue.”

Quite literally a game of two halves. Wolfsburg players are sat on the pitch in tears, they had the game in their hands at half-time. Barcelona are jumping around and singing, arms in the air. Emotion juxtaposition. Sweet ecstasy and completely despair just metres from one another.

Full-time! Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg

One of the greatest finals I have ever seen comes to a close and Barcelona’s expert second half sees them win the trophy for the second time. They have avenged their 2022 loss to inflict heartbreak on Wolfsburg. The Germans had a great first half, heading into half-time 2-0 up, but the Spanish team came out firing in the second 45.

90 + 10 min: Wolfsburg have a corner, it’s popped in and it’s headed but Panos saves Bremer’s chance!

90 + 9 min: Bronze clears as Jonsdottir got in the box in a great position.

90 + 8 min: We play on as all those fouls add some time on.

90 + 6 min: Popp is staying on but she held her neck for a long time. Guijarro is also okay to continue.

90 + 5 min: Wolfsburg do well to shut Putellas down in the box, there are so many fouls happening across the board. The crowd are in raptors, Guijarro is down and looks in pain and Popp is again in discomfort.

90 + 4 min: Popp gets a yellow card for dissent and I think Paredes also received on for the challenge. Popp was fuming, VAR checked to see if the challenge warranted a red but the check is over and it’s not been given.

90 + 3 min: Another long throw in is closed down by Bronze and Barca are on the counter. The assistant rules they are offside and Wolfsburg are given another lifeline. Frohms pings it upfield but it comes to Panos who collects. Popp is shouting at the referee after she is fouled by Paredes.

90 + 2 min: Jonsdottir’s huge throw in makes its way into the box but Barca clear, Wolfsburg shout for a penalty but one isn’t given.

90 min: There will be seven minutes added, a lot of time for Wolfsburg to equalise!

90 min: How about these substitutions? Bonmati and Walsh are off for Putellas and Engen!

89 min: Wolfsburg fans now booing every time Barca have the ball, do they feel the game is done now? Barca have just gone from strength to strength in this game, it’s been such a good final.

87 min: Popp is okay to continue and we’re back underway.

87 min: It is Popp who is down, a worry for the German national team with the World Cup on the horizon. She is still receiving treatment, hopefully she is okay.

86 min: Guijarro runs to try and get a cross in but she isn’t quick enough and so Wolfsburg have a goal kick. It’s thundered upfield and Bronze collides with Popp (I think), she needs some medical attention so there’s a break in play.

84 min: Wolfsburg win it back and they are being patient on the ball but then they cough up possession. It’s so back and forth right now with the tension bubbling. Wilms fouls Pina and before action gets back underway Wolfsburg make a change – Pajor is off for Bremer – the star who broke Arsenal’s hearts in the semi-final.

82 min: Barca have the ball once again and look to put this final to bed. One more goal and you’d say this was done.

81 min: Frohms is absolutely fine, a tactical injury time out there I suspect, Wolfsburg needed some time to recollect. They have less than 10 minutes to keep themselves in this.

80 min: Leon takes the free kick but the resulting header is over. Barca make some changes with Pina and Crnogorcevic are on for Caldentey and Graham Hansen. Frohms touched the ball as it went over from the free kick, the corner comes in but Popp does well to defend to stop Bronze from getting a shot. Frohms is down injured and so the teams are getting some talks with coaches.

78 min: Barca get a free kick with Jonsdottir fouling Geyse, Jonsdottir cannot believe the decision has done against her. She gets a yellow for it. Geyse is back to her feet and okay to continue.

76 min: Geyse makes a great run in the box, she has been amazing since coming on, she passes to Bonmati who rattles off a chance but Frohms collects.

75 min: Jonsdottir is ran off the ball by the box but Wolfsburg win it back. Oberdorf thought she won a free kick but the decision went Barca’s way. Wolfsburg need to collect themselves now, they are losing every battle.

73 min: 33,147 fans in the stadium for this electric final! Wolfsburg have none of the momentum but all the work to do – the game has quite literally spun on its head.

71 min: The ball was quite literally pin balling around the box, they couldn’t get it away and Barca players stabbed at it. Frohms thought the chance was gone and didn’t get back quickly enough and they ball came to Rolfo who finished well. Wolfsburg makes a change with Roord off – I think a few Wolfsburg players thought this sub was being made and got distracted for the third Barca goal.

GOAL! Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg (Rolfo, 70')

Wolfsburg can’t clear it and the shots keep coming, Rolfo works it away from Frohms and it’s an open goal.

Frohms concedes the third goal from Barcelona’s Swedish forward Rolfo.
Frohms concedes the third goal from Barcelona’s Swedish forward Rolfo. Photograph: Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP/Getty Images
Rolfo celebrates after scoring.
Rolfo celebrates after scoring. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

Updated

70 min: Oberdorf fouls Bronze and she remains down but the referee let’s play continue. Wolfsburg get in the box and Pajor gets a shot away, Panos punches away and then collects. Bronze is back to her feet and okay to continue. Barca make a change with Paralluelo off for Geyse.

69 min: Roord pops it to Pajor who rifles off a chance but Panos collects well. Bronze is fouled as Barca have a chance to clear some danger.

67 min: Graham Hansen expertly works the ball around Jonsdottir, the Norway international is cutting through the Wolfsburg defence like a hot knife through butter in this second half. The chance ends with Wolfsburg clearing it from the box.

66 min: Guijarro gives away possession in a good area and there is a lot of back and forth. Wolfsburg do well to get it into the box but it’s cleared by Barca. Popp doing really well in that sequence. There are calls for a penalty as Popp believes she was pushed in the box – there is VAR in operation so if there is something it will be found. I don’t think anything will be given, the Wolfsburg fans booing the decision.

64 min: Bronze does well to close down a long range pass from Popp, if she didn’t interrupt that Pajor would have had a great opportunity to put her side ahead again. Bonmati makes a great run but her resulting pass is poor and ends up at Wilms’ feet.

62 min: Wolfsburg block a cross but Barca come again, it is non stop from the Spanish giants.

61 min: Chelsea fans will want Barca to win as if they do the Blues go straight into the Champions League group stage next season. If they don’t they will have to come through qualification. Wolfsburg do well to deal with a Barca corner but they are threatening once more.

60 min: Roord fires a shot but it’s blocked easily and Barca are on the counter. Bronze puts in a great cross to Paralluelo is well tackled. Rolfo gets another cross in but Wolfsburg clears. Every time they are on the ball they look threatening now.

58 min: The atmosphere sounds like Barca are at home right now, ‘Barca’ chants. Non stop singing. Wolfsburg need to silence them. Wolfsburg are on the ball now, Wilms makes a pass but Jonsdottir’s cross in is blocked.

56 min: Please tell me I’m not the only one who is stunned by this game. Stunned by Wolfsburg’s dominance in the first half. Stunned by Barca’s lightning second half. The game has settled again but I now can’t see anyone but Barca winning.

54 min: Wolfsburg have a chance with but the cross has too much on it. Barcelona fans are raucous, the ‘allez’ chants are there. Wolfsburg need to settle or Barca will run away with this. The cross comes in from Barca and Frohms collects.

52 min: They nearly scored again! Hendrich does well to clear, it almost gets to Graham Hansen. I am stunned. STUNNED. I thought they would come back but not this quickly. Wow.

GOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Wolfsburg (Guijarro, 50')

WHAT!! Slick passes and Wolfsburg are unable to mark Guijarro, she takes a one touch header and Frohms can’t stop it. Wow Wolfsburg undone.

Guijarro celebrates after making it 2-2.
Guijarro celebrates after making it 2-2. Photograph: Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Updated

50 min: The perfect start for Barca and the team are in the right frame of mind as they collect it and immediately want to get going again. Paralluelo has a shot but it’s just over. Barca aren’t done yet!

GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Wolfsburg (Guijarro, 48')

Rauch can’t clear it and Barca get it into Guijarro and she taps home.

Guijarro celebrates after scoring.
Guijarro celebrates after scoring. Photograph: Tullio Puglia/UEFA/Getty Images

Updated

47 min: Paralluelo tries to get away but Oberdorf clears and get it to Popp. She looks to try and add a third by Paredes does well to close it down.

Back underway! Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg

The underdogs are ahead but Arsenal overcame a 2-0 deficit in the first leg of their semi-final to level it 2-2 so it’s not impossible for Barca to come back. It will be a mountain to climb though, what a half we have in store!

If you enjoy women’s football our weekly newsletter is for you! It is completely free to sign up to and it brings you the latest news and features from the sport. Sign up here:

Pajor’s goal is the fastest goal ever scored against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League. Breathtaking.

A very fun fact for you:

Here are the two goals that have set Wolfsburg on a path to Champions League success:

Half-time: Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg

Well who would have predicted this? Barca have been completely stunned by Wolfsburg, a defensive error from Bronze saw Pajor score and a well worked team goal got Popp on the end of a header. The perfect first half from the Germans and so much work for the Spanish team to go.

45 + 2 min: Wow, what a save Frohms! Bronze gets a good delivery in the box and Paralluelo has a shot but Frohms closes it down.

45 min: A loose ball at the back almost sees Pajor score again! So close to a third but Panos collects before she gets a touch. There will be two minutes added.

44 min: Popp looks hurt after a clash with Paredes but she is okay to continue, she is still clutching her back as she walks into position. The tactics from Wolfsburg and execution of their game plan has been superb. Slick defending for the majority of the game and clinical attack. Pure footballing magic.

42 min: Putellas looks distraught on the bench. Bronze and Rauch having words for each other, the frustration from Barca is there but they have a corner. Leon pops it in but it’s cleared. It comes back in and the ball is pinging around the box but Huth clears and Wolfsburg are on the hunt. Leon does amazingly well to get back and fairly challenge Jonsdottir in the box.

40 min: Well Barcelona have had all the chances to get themselves on the scoreboard but they haven’t been clinical. Wolfsburg get a chance and convert. That goal could have sealed the title for them. Barca rocked.

38 min: The goal stands! The nightmares from last year’s final ringing in Barca’s ears now. They have so much to do to win this now.

GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg (Popp, 27')

WHAT IS HAPPENING! It will be checked by VAR for a foul. Pajor pings it into the box and Popp heads home. Ruthlessly clinical from Wolfsburg.

Popp scores with a header.
Popp scores with a header. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

Updated

37 min: Jondottir is doing a fantastic job on the wing in defence, she has had to deal with a lot. Bronze gets it into the box and Wilms blocks and Frohms collects. The frustration from Barca is palpable, they have everything right at the moment it’s just the last touch that isn’t connecting.

35 min: Leon pops it into the box and Graham Hansen has it at her feet but Frohms makes sure it stays out of goal, that is their closest chance so far. Barca are coming again but Rolfo’s chance ends in the keeper’s hands.

34 min: Bonmati gets a yellow card for a challenge on Huth and Wolfsburg have a free kick. It’s in their own half though and so not a scoreable opportunity. It’s sent upfield but Barca win it back.

32 min: Guijarro spots Frohms off her line and she tries a long range shot but the keeper gets back to collect. It’s so back and forth at the moment!

30 min: Barca get another free kick, to the boos of the crowd! Graham Hansen takes the set piece but it is just over. Wolfsburg are weathering the Barca storm but can they keep it up?

28 min: Jonsdottir rifles off a long range powerful shot but Panos saves, if that went in it would have been a stunner! Hendrich fouls and Barca takes the free kick quickly, Wolfsburg disrupts the attack but the Spanish team are quickly in a good position. Bonmati gets the ball at her feet in the box but Wilms blocks. They are getting closer!

26 min: Kari has got in touch on email and said: “I thought that Wolfsburg’s goal would be the proverbial ‘goal scored too early’, and expected them to sit back and protect their lead. However, if anything, they’ve been the more threatening side, especially through Sveindís Jónsdóttir on the right.” I agree, while they have been forced to do a lot of defending since the goal they aren’t sitting on their laurels thinking they have the trophy already. Back to the game and Paralluelo gives away a cheap ball.

24 min: Barca are confidently playing out the back despite the early error leading to the goal. They are growing into this one, Wolfsburg need to capitalise on their momentum. Bonmati creates an attack but she is ruled offside.

23 min: Leon takes it but it has too much on it and Bronze can’t connect to it. A wasted opportunity there.

22 min: Paralluelo is tackled off the ball by Hendrich, she receives a yellow and Barca have a free kick in a great position.

20 min: Barca are on the attack now, they are starting to get more space on the ball but Huth does enough to thwart the chance. Since the goal Wolfsburg have had to do a lot of defending. Here Barca come again, graham Hansen gets a shot away but it’s blocked. There is a clash between Huth and Bonmati but both are okay to continue.

18 min: The early goal has given this final even more spice, I don’t think anyone would have expected Wolfsburg to be ahead first. Huth does well to win the ball in a good area but Leon manages the situation and passes to Panos.

17 min: Bonmati is fouled and Barca take the free kick quickly, they want the power balance back. Rolfo again makes a great run to the box but Hendrich this time closes her down. It comes back to Paredes who takes aim but Oberdorf blocks.

15 min: Barca are being patient on the ball here, really taking their time to thread passes together but they can’t find the final punch at the moment.

13 min: Rolfo gets a great cross into the box, a well worked move but Rauch does well to clear. Barca’s bench look fuming that no one was there to connect with that. Rauch’s clearance gave away a corner which Leon took and Paredes storms with a header but it’s wide. That should have been a goal there, how she hasn’t scored is beyond me!

Paredes reacts after missing a chance to score.
Paredes reacts after missing a chance to score. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

Updated

12 min: Paredes does really well to get back to halt a pass from Popp to Pajor. Barca work the ball through the team and Caldentey gets a shot but it’s over the bar.

10 min: Hendrich is able to continue and there was nothing in the challenge from Paralluelo so we are back underway.

10 min: Hendrich is down injured in Wolfsburg’s box, VAR is in operation today so anything untoward will be found.

9 min: The game has settled now, the early shots from Barca and the opening goal had both teams rattled but both now having more time and patience on the ball. I think this is the worst possible start for Barca as they were stunned by Lyon scoring early in last year’s final, now it has happened again.

7 min: Bronze is trying to make up for her error as she wins Barca a free kick on the edge of the box. Leon rifles it in but it’s headed away for a corner. Leon takes it and it’s initially blocked, it comes to Paralluelo whose shot goes over.

5 min: That goal means a lot, Tommt Stoot had his hands in the air. Bronze stunned. Wow, what a start for the underdogs. Pajor is the leading goalscorer in the competition and she adds to her tally.

GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Wolfsburg (Pajor, 4')

Oh my word! I was just writing to say Wolfsburg need to stop Barca but then Pajor does that! Bronze is wrestled off the ball at the back by Pajor and she rams it home. Wow.

Pajor scores the opening goal from the edge of the box.
Pajor scores the opening goal from the edge of the box. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP
Pajor celebrates with teammates.
Pajor celebrates with teammates. Photograph: Tullio Puglia/UEFA/Getty Images

Updated

2 min: Bonmati takes a shot but it is blocked and Guijarro rallies on in but Frohms saves. A fast start from Barca.

Kick-off! Barcelona 0-0 Wolfsburg

Here we go then! Will the favourites Barcelona come out on top? Or will Wolfsburg cause an upset? We’ll find out soon.

The players walk out to a deafening roar. I think there is an even split between Barca and Wolfsburg, there are expected to be 35,000 fans. Sarina Wiegman delivered the trophy to the pitch.

The crowd are being treated to the opening ceremony here. There are some dancers and flag wavers, pyrotechnics are going and the fans are bang up for this!

The players will be out soon and I’m doing hand exercises as I feel I’m going to have to type quickly to keep up with the action today!

The scene:

If Lucy Bronze lifts the Women’s Champions League trophy today she will become the first Englishwoman to win the tournament with two different clubs. She has already won the tournament three times when she played for Lyon.

Lucy Bronze

A nice fun fact for you:

Have you been reading our weekly women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts? You should sign up! This week Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has written about what it is like to play Barcelona and Wolfsburg, you can give it a read:

Adam K has emailed and said: “It’s morning here on the east coast of the USA, so my “pre-match meal” is waffles. What snacks do you have on the go today? I’m excited for the game today (thrilled to see Popp fit for a final!), but before that I wanted to issue special shoutouts to Lianne Sanderson’s outfit, and also for Jill Scott’s podcast, Jill Scott’s Coffee Club.” I actually treated myself to a McDonalds (other fast food outlets available) for lunch so no snacks at the moment! Waffles are a great shout, any toppings with them?

This is the last season where all the matches in the Women’s Champions League are free. Dazn are putting the competition behind a paywall next season. “It has seen millions of streams on our Dazn platform, and also on our YouTube channel with 14 million‑plus extra viewers compared to the previous year,” Dazn said. “But now the time is right to convert this visibility into viability and value for the long-term sustainability of the rights. Driving the commercial value upwards is how we can make sure there will be future investment in the sport for the benefit of the game and the players. And it’s also in the interest of the clubs and Uefa as well.” Read the full piece:

The sun is out, the football is on – does it get much better than this? I suspect you’ll be able to smell BBQ’s in the air, are you having one later on? Let me know via Twitter or email.

When Wolfsburg’s Alexandra Popp was asked if Barcelona are the best team in Europe, she replied: “If you see last year, I wouldn’t say they’re better than Lyon! Of course, they are a top team. They are one of the best teams when you watch them. They have developed a lot over the years. In 2014, we played Barca and it was very different. You could see the football but not as consistent as now.”

Alexandra Popp

“You always have to know how to handle the pressure when you start playing for Barça,” Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas said. “You know what it means; you have to aim for perfection. There’s always room for improvement in sport, there’s always pressure. The defeat in Turin last year did affect us, with so many fans travelling there, but it was not to be in the end. I feel like that was our worst performance of the season after playing at such a high level throughout the campaign. We feel like we owe the fans a victory in the final. We will play at 100% and do everything for the team and hope this combination will bear fruit.” Full piece:

The team news is in! Barcelona have made two changes from their semi-final against Chelsea. Lucy Bronze is back after injury which has seen Marta Torrejón dropped, Salma Paralluelo comes in to replace Asisat Oshoala. Alexia Putellas starts from the bench.

Barcelona: Paños; Bronze, Paredes, Mapi León, Rolfö; Bonmati, Walsh, Guoijarro; Graham Hansen, Paralluelo, Caldenty

Lucy Bronze

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, have an unchanged side from their semi-final against Arsenal.

Wolfsburg: Frohms; Wilms, Hendrich, Janssen, Rauch; Oberdorf, Roord; Huth; Jonsdottir, Pajor, Popp.

Preamble

Hello and welcome to the 2023 Women’s Champions League final and what a battle we have on our hands today. The 2021 champions Barcelona face two-time winners Wolfsburg with the Spanish giants carrying the favourites tag today.

Barcelona’s semi-final first leg was a breeze with Caroline Graham Hansen delivering them a 1-0 result over Chelsea. But the second leg was more of a battle at Camp Nou with Chelsea grinding out a 1-1 result but Hansen’s boot proved the difference to see them through.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, were challenged by Arsenal in the semis. The first leg ended 2-2 despite Wolfsburg having the stronger performance and then Pauline Bremer scored a last-minute winner at a sold-out Emirates to seal the German team’s final spot.

The match at the Eindhoven today will be a close encounter with some of the world’s best players involved. Alexandra Popp and Jill Roord will be facing off against Alexia Putellas and Lucy Bronze. Barcelona are keen to avenge their 2022 final defeat to Lyon while Wolfsburg will be looking to win the title for the first time in nine years. The team news will be out shortly so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 3pm BST.

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