Fridolina Rolfo’s decisive strike secured Barcelona a thrilling 3-2 victory over Wolfsburg in the Champions League final at Eindhoven’s sold-out Philips Stadion. Despite being the favorites to win their second title in three years, the Spanish side found themselves trailing by two goals at halftime.
Wolfsburg’s Ewa Pajor opened the scoring after just three minutes, while Alexandra Popp doubled their advantage before the break. However, Barcelona roared back into contention with two goals in two minutes from Patricia Guijarro shortly after the restart. Rolfo’s 70th-minute goal, capitalizing on a Wolfsburg error, sealed the win for Barcelona.
The victory also made English history as Lioness Lucy Bronze became the first player from her country to win the Champions League title with two clubs, having previously done so three times with Lyon.
Both teams had eliminated English opponents en route to the final, with Wolfsburg defeating Arsenal and Barcelona overcoming Chelsea 2-1 on aggregate. Current England and former Netherlands boss Sarina Wiegman presented the trophy on a sunny afternoon in her native country.
Barcelona’s comeback was reminiscent of their experience in last year’s final, where they conceded an early goal against eventual winners Lyon. In this match, it was Pajor who capitalized on a defensive error from Bronze, scoring the fastest goal the Spanish side had ever conceded in the competition.
Barcelona’s fortunes changed in the second half when Guijarro collected a pass from Caroline Graham Hansen and scored within five minutes of the restart. She then doubled her tally with a header from Aitana Bonmati’s delivery, leveling the score at 2-2.
The winning goal arrived in the 70th minute when a clearance from Wolfsburg’s Lynn Wilms deflected off teammate Kathrin Hendrich, setting up Mariona Caldentey to assist Rolfo for her decisive strike. Despite a nervy seven minutes of stoppage time, Barcelona held on to secure the trophy.
