Barcelona vs Wolfsburg 3-2 – as it happened
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Wolfsburg on Saturday, June 3:
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Wolfsburg on Saturday, June 3:
- Barcelona clinched their second title in three years, coming back from 2-0 down at halftime to beat Wolfsburg 3-2.
- The showdown at Philips Stadion, or PSV Stadion, was the first sold-out final since 2010 with more than 34,000 fans in the stands.
It’s a wrap!
This was a final for the ages.
Barcelona, despite dominating the first half stats, were simply incomparable to Wolfsburg who were clinical and efficient with the chances they were afforded.
It looked like history would repeat itself in Eindhoven for the Catalan club, who were down by a similar deficit at the half against Lyon last year.
However, two minutes of mesmerising magic from Guijarro ensured they set the platform. Rolfo then put the finishing touches soon after to help the Blaugrana capture their second title in three years.
We thoroughly hope you enjoyed today’s encounter as much as we did covering it.
Do join us again next week for the Men’s Champions League final on June 10, as Manchester City pursue the one prize that has eluded their glittering trophy cabinet against Inter Milan.
Barcelona are 2022/23 Women’s Champions League winners!
Graham-Hansen: “This game had everything”
A visibly emotional Caroline Graham-Hansen shared her thoughts post-match: “This game had everything you possible could have.
“At half-time, I had a big flashback from last year’s final (after being down two-nil against Lyon at the half). I said no, its not going to happen again. We scored one, then we scored two, and then the whole stadium exploded.”
Caroline Graham Hansen against Wolfsburg:
– 1 assist
– 7 dribbles completed
– 4 key passes
– 9 duels won
– 42 touches pic.twitter.com/7tcpsMnD91— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) June 3, 2023
Pure delight for players and staff alike
Rolfo: “Never thought this would happen”
Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfo, who scored the winner, had this to say after the match: “So emotional [at the moment]. I never thought this would happen. After two goals in the beginning [of the second half], I thought we could do it.
“We showed our mentality though and I am so proud of the team. We had to continue to believe in what we were doing, and we did it in the end.”
Man
I
Love
Fridolina Rolfo! 🫶🥹 pic.twitter.com/JcMS9bRuhV— Canal Barça (@CanalBarcaBR) June 3, 2023
Barcelona are champions of Europe!
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐄✌️𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄 #UWCLfinal pic.twitter.com/pX3qxrHs26
— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) June 3, 2023
Full-time
The referee blows the whistle and Barcelona have completed the most remarkable comeback here at Philips Stadion.
Despite a headed opportunity from a last-ditch corner, the Catalan side come through to make it two victories in three consecutive finals.
It is heartbreak for the German side’s fans after they cantered to a commanding 2-0 result at the half before being completely blitzed by the Blaugrana in the second half.
Full-time: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
Popp pops off
After being brought down by Paredes’ flailing elbow, the German forward has some choice words for the Spaniard and referee.
Shortly after her outburst, she is shown the yellow along with Paredes for the egregious challenge.
90+3 mins: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
More changes for Barcelona
Putellas, who seems to have been waiting for a lifetime, finally makes her entry as she is applauded onto the pitch.
She is joined by Syrstad Engen as Walsh and Bonmati make their way off.
Meanwhile, the fourth official has signalled for seven minutes of additional time, which is certainly plenty if you are a Wolfsburg fan.
90 mins: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
Blaugrana on the precipice of a famous win
They failed to overturn a 2-0 goal deficit at the half when they faced Lyon last year, but is this their chance of returning to the pinnacle of European football?
85 mins: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
Barcelona make tactical switches
Graham-Hansen and Caldentey, who have each had their moments, amble off the pitch as Claudia Pina and Ana-Maria Crnogorčević come on in their place.
Meanwhile, Frohms looks to be in a spot of bother as she goes down, but looks like it is nothing too concerning.
The momentary break allows both sets of players to hydrate and huddle with their manager in order to determine how they will proceed as they enter the final 10 minutes of regulation play.
79 mins: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
More yellow cards issued
Bonmati and Jonsdottir are in the book for Barcelona and Wolfsburg respectively.
It will be a rather cantankerous affair as the game enters the closing stages of regulation play.
78 mins: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
GOAL!
Rolfo completes a famous comeback as Wolfsburg are falling apart in this second half.
A series of errors from Wolfsburg’s backline as a result of a chip from the right side leads to Barcelona’s third goal in 26 minutes.
The ball arrives at the feet of Rolfo, who creates the desired space before launching the ball into the top right corner.
What a turnaround and Wolfsburg now have under 20 minutes to right the ship before it’s too late.
71 mins: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
Panos again to the fore
Not too long after and Pajor is at it again.
With a surging run from the left side, she drives again at the keeper, but Panos is able to hold on to the effort.
Meanwhile, the first change as Barcelona’s Paralluelo comes off for Geyse.
69 mins: Barcelona 2-2 Wolfsburg
Pajor tests Barcelona’s keeper
After the 20-minute onslaught from Barcelona in the beginning of the half, Wolfsburg are starting to stamp their authority again.
Popp and Pajor hold the key, with the latter getting a shot at net after creeping into the box, but Panos is able to hold on.
67 mins: Barcelona 2-2 Wolfsburg
Barcelona with their tails up
It was one-way traffic in Wolfsburg’s favour in the first half, and it looks like Barcelona are having their time in the sun so far in the second.
The Germans have had to sit further back than they would like as the Catalan side have been relentless in their approach so far.
And, Putellas, who looked like she was going to be subbed on at the half, is still waiting in the wings.
60 mins: Barcelona 2-2 Wolfsburg
GOAL!
Guijarro sprinkles some more magic as she equalises for Barcelona at Philips Stadion!
A cross from the right side again finds the midfielder, who heads it past Frohms to set Barcelona fans alight.
What did manager Giraldez say at the half? They have entirely flipped this game on its head.
What a final we are having so far.
50 mins: Barcelona 2-2 Wolfsburg
GOAL!
Guijarro provides the vital breakthrough as Barcelona score one early in the second half.
A lovely chip from Graham-Hansen from the right side of the box finds the midfielder, who makes no mistake as she gets it past Frohm’s defences.
Massive goal for Barcelona as they are right back into this contest.
48 mins: Barcelona 1-2 Wolfsburg
Caldentey strikes from distance
After receiving the ball just outside of the box, the forward decides to test Frohms from distance.
But with the kind of form the German keeper is in, it was never really going to challenge her.
47 mins: Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg
Second half under way
It is Wolfsburg who will get the game back on under way here in Eindhoven.
Will they hold on to their lead, or does Barcelona have other plans?
46 mins: Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg
One hand on the trophy?
⏸ 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅-𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 ⏸
What a half for the She-Wolves 😮💥😎#UWCL // #UWCLfinal
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) June 3, 2023
Half-time
The referee blows the whistle and the first act of this intriguing match comes to a close.
Despite Barcelona dominating possession at 67 percent, and having 15 shots to Wolfsburg’s three, they just haven’t been able to convert.
The addition of Putellas could make things interesting, but it will take a monumental effort from the Blaugrana if they are to overturn the current state of affairs.
If they can, then there should be an exciting 45 minutes ahead.
HT: Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg
Frohms to the rescue once more!
She has been Wolfsburg’s saviour so far in this first half.
Bronze is able to find a darting Paralluelo as she slaloms into the box.
Despite the defender on her, she is able to get off a quick strike at goal, but the German keeper rushes out in the nick of time to close down the effort.
There is some drama as she loses sight of the ball, but is able to quickly recover before Barcelona get another chance.
45+2 mins: Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg
Two minutes of stoppage time to be added
Barcelona look rather disconsolate as we near the half.
Giraldez has decided its time for Plan B as Putellas is put through her paces on the touchline.
There is no doubt that she will be coming on after the interval with the way things are going.
45 mins: Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg
GOAL!
The Pajor-Popp connection doubles Wolfsburg’s lead.
A quick counterattack after another failed Barcelona drive affords Pajor precious space on the left side just outside of the box.
She spots Popp rushing into the middle and times a wonderful cross which evades any close-by Barcelona defenders.
Popp times her header superbly to the left of Panos to give Wolfsburg a healthy cushion.
37 mins: Barcelona 0-2 Wolfsburg