Barcelona power to 4-0 women’s Champions League final win over Lyon
OSLO: Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor and Salma Paralluelo both netted two second-half goals as their side cruised to a 4-0 win over OL Lyonnes to win the women’s Champions League final on Saturday and secure a fourth European crown for the Spanish giants. Barca had to weather a first-half storm that saw Lyon have a goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review and the few chances that fell to Pajor went unpunished, but she turned on the style in the second period as her side won at a canter. Lindsey Heaps had the ball in the net after 14 minutes when Cata Coll spilled Wendie Renard’s header from a free kick, but the goal was chalked out for offside following a VAR review. Undeterred, Lyon continued to control the pace in the first half and for once it was Barcelona, who usually enjoy the lion’s share of possession, that were left to try to win the ball back. The French powerhouse, who are the competition’s most successful team with eight titles, tried to find space in behind the Barca backline, but they struggled to get shots on target, and they would be punished for it after the break. Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 55th minute as Patri Guijarro won the ball deep in her own half and surged forward before picking out Pajor to her right, who finished clinically from a tight angle. Pajor added her second 14 minutes later as the Lyon defense switched off and left her alone in front of goal.