da aviator aposta： Aitana Bonmati shone as Barcelona finally got one over Lyon, beating them 2-0 to lift a third Women's Champions League title in Bilbao on Saturday.
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Barcelona beat Lyon to win third UWCL titleBonmati's goal the difference in a tight finalTriumph completes historic quadruple for BarcaGetty ImagesTELL ME MORE
Lyon had blown Barca out of the water in the 2019 and 2022 finals, but the third instalment of this growing rivalry was quite different. Though an engrossing and incredibly even first half went by without a huge chance for either side, there were plenty of bright moments for both; Caroline Graham Hansen causing Lyon all sorts of problems down the right while Kadidiatou Diani showed her flair at the other end.
However, it was the Ballon d'Or winner, the star of this Barca team, that broke the deadlock, Bonmati making a brilliant run down the left just past the hour mark before gleefully watching her attempted shot deflect off Vanessa Gilles and over Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler to make it 1-0.
Try as they might, Lyon had no response, with another Ballon d'Or winner, two-time recipient Alexia Putellas, instead coming off the bench in stoppage-time to put the cherry on Barca's cake with an absolutely gorgeous finish that capped a wonderful day in Bilbao for the Catalans.
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This was an historic victory for Barca for many reasons. It marked the first time the women's team had successfully defended their European crown and it also completed an incredible quadruple, with this the first season that they have won Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, the Super Cup and the Champions League.
Getty ImagesTHE MVP
While Graham Hansen was electric all evening, it was Bonmati who once again came up with the goods that made the difference on Saturday. It was no surprise that Barca's attack grew more dangerous when she and Mariona Caldentey started to have more influence on the game, and it was a nice pass from the latter that set Bonmati on her way in behind the Lyon defence to score.
THE BIG LOSER
Gilles had a really good game on Saturday. She made an excellent block in the first half in particular, as Mariona unleashed a dangerous shot from the edge of the box, and did her bit in ensuring Salma Paralluelo received minimal service. That she got the touch that took Bonmati's shot up and over Endler, then, was cruel and the look on her face when the ball nestled in the back of the net said it all.