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Katie McCabe of Arsenal during the Women's Champions League final match against Barcelona at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Pedro Loureiro/Sportsfile
Katie McCabe of Arsenal during the Women's Champions League final match against Barcelona at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Pedro Loureiro/Sportsfile
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Ireland captain Katie McCabe can add a Champions League winners’ medal to her impressive career haul after the Tallaght native helped Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over favourites Barcelona in Lisbon.
The 29-year-old Dubliner played a full part in the Gunners’ famous victory after forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as the London team shocked holders Barcelona to claim their second Women's Champions League title.
Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Sweden's Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when she latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead's reverse pass in a crowded penalty area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Catalina Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Renee Slegers's Gunners, who were making just their second appearance in the final in 18 years having won Europe's top competition in 2007, held on for a stunning victory to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans.
The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team playing in their sixth final in seven years and who had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns. Saturday's reverse was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions.