UWCL Final Recap: FC Barcelona’s Miraculous Comeback Against VFL Wolfsburg
The biggest game of the year lived up to the hype in more ways than one. FC Barcelona and Wolfsburg seemed to be the perfect matchup for each other, with contrasting styles leading to a tale of two halves. Barcelona were not at full strength for this match, but you can’t take anything away from Wolfsburg and the effort they put forth. A comeback for the ages, something that seems to be ingrained in Barcelona’s DNA as a club. Let’s relive the madness that was with a recap of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final between FC Barcelona and VfL Wolfsburg.
First Half Action
Wolfsburg was more than ready to play in the first half. Barca was looking to possess early on as usual, and Lucy Bronze made a rare mistake and got her pocket picked. Ewa Pajor, the top scorer in the competition, provided a devastating finish in the blink of an eye.
What a way to open the score!
Ewa Pajor picked Lucy Bronze's pockets to find the top corner.
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Talk about the perfect start for Wolfsburg, FC Barcelona didn’t even know what hit them. Barcelona was eager to get that goal back and spent most of the half in and around Wolfsburg’s box. They simply couldn’t find the back of the net. They were missing the finishing touch needed in the final third.
Wolfsburg is one of the best counter-attacking teams in the world, thanks to Alexandra Popp. With Barcelona pushing as high as they were trying to get the equalizer, it opened them up for a second goal.
Watching Popp’s run, she saw her opening and used her physicality to break free into the box. Then she ran off the back of Irene Paredes nicely, who lost Popp for just a split second. By that time, the ball was in the air, and Popp headed home to give Wolfsburg a shocking 2-0 lead.
Header + @alexpopp11 ? Match made in heaven!
2-0 for @VfLWolfsburg_EN against Barcelona.
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Based on the rest of the first half, it seemed like it wasn’t going to be Barcelona’s day. Chance after chance was squandered, and the score was 2-0 at halftime. DAZN put up a graphic at halftime that gave Barcelona a 7% chance of coming back to win. Well, we all know what happened next.
Second Half Comeback
Barca made that 7% look more like 90% with how they attacked Wolfsburg in the second half. Wolfsburg was able to get away with some desperate defending in the first half but not the second.
Patri was the heroine, scoring two quick goals within the first five minutes of the second half to flip the game on its head. Of course, Caroline Graham Hansen was going to be involved in the goal as she quickly cut past two defenders and set up Patri on a platter, who made no mistake about it.
It's Patri who fires Barça back into the game!
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The second goal was better and showed Barca’s quality as a team. Kiera Walsh played a nice chip pass out wide to Aitana Bonmati, bypassing three Wolfsburg players. Bonmati took her space, calmly faked out the defender with a cutback, and then played in a perfect cross for Patri to attack. Wolfsburg were stunned to see their lead dissipate, and Barcelona knew they had Wolfsburg right where they wanted them.
Just like that, it's 2-2!
Patri's brace puts Barça on level terms with Wolfsburg.
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Wolfsburg was able to weather the storm and possibly hold out till extra time, but a former player would poetically provide the winner against her old club. Fridolina Rolfo had helped Wolfsburg beat Barcelona in the Champions League before:
Heartbreak to Redemption! Fridolina Rolfö, the ultimate game-changer, once shattered Barcelona's dreams but now she's their hero! Lightning strikes as Rolfö snatches victory for FC Barcelona in a jaw-dropping 3-2 turnaround!🎯🏆 Unforgettable revenge, written in the stars! 🌟💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/GTVBsianJi
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This time after making the move to Barcelona, she helped them win it. The goal featured a bit of luck as Lynn Wilms tried to clear the ball but kicked it right into her teammate Kathrin Hendrich. Still, Mariona Cardentey did an amazing job of recovering the ball and keeping her balance, all while sliding the ball over to Fridolina Rolfo. Rolfo kept her composure with the Champions League Final on the line and provided the winner.
It's Wolfsburg's former player, Fridolina Rolfö, turning the tide in favor of Barcelona, 3-2!
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Wolfsburg expended so much energy trying to keep things level that this goal seemed like the knockout blow. The German side was unable to create anything threatening until the last kick of the game, with Pauline Bremer’s header falling into the hands of Sandra Paños to end the match.
Solidifying Their Dominance
FC Barcelona capped off a historic comeback giving the club their second Champions League title. For all their dominance in Liga F, the one thing that had eluded the club was multiple Champions League trophies. The second title solidifies their dominance as the best club in the world. With the talent they have and will continue to add, including a healthy Alexia Putellas, a repeat as title holders next year is a real possibility.
Featured image via @fcbfemeni on Instagram
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