Lyon women face barça in historic champions league final

The four-year wait is finally over for OL Lyonnes. After dominating women’s football for years, the former Olympique Lyonnais team—now rebranded as OL Lyonnes—finds itself on the cusp of reclaiming its throne in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The last time they lifted the trophy was in 2022, and since then, an unbeatable force has stood in their way: FC Barcelona. The Spanish giants have reached six straight finals (excluding the COVID-affected year), securing the title three times (2021, 2023, 2024). Their rivalry with OL Lyonnes has already produced two high-stakes showdowns, including Barcelona’s most recent triumph in 2024. Now, the stage is set for another epic clash at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo this Saturday, May 23, at 6:00 PM CET—a true battle of titans.

OL Lyonnes chase a historic quadruple as Champions League final looms

Under the guidance of head coach Jonatan Giráldez, a former Barcelona tactician, OL Lyonnes is in relentless pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple. The team has already secured the Coupe de la Ligue (March 14) and the Coupe de France (May 10). Now, they’re just two trophies away from etching their names into football history: the Champions League and the Arkema Division 1 Féminine (set to be decided on May 29 against Paris FC at Groupama Stadium).

“We set out to reach all four finals, and we’ve done it. Now, it’s about winning all four. We want to send a message to Europe—show that we’re back, that we’ve grown. And we want to make the French people proud.” — Selma Bacha, Lyon’s 25-year-old full-back, shared her team’s unwavering ambition.

“We’re writing history here, crafting something extraordinary. But none of it matters unless we win, because only victors are remembered.” — Wendie Renard, the indomitable captain who has claimed 41 trophies with OL Lyonnes, echoed the sentiment.

“We have a squad of world-class talent. Winning trophies is what will define our legacy,

added Melchie Dumornay, the 22-year-old sensation who recently claimed back-to-back Player of the Season awards. We want to showcase our game, prove we’ve evolved, and turn the tables on our last meeting with Barcelona.”

The pursuit of a ninth Champions League title would further cement Lyon’s status as Europe’s most successful women’s club. “From the outside, it may have looked effortless at times, reflects Ada Hegerberg, the Ballon d’Or winner of 2018 and Lyon’s all-time top scorer. But it was never easy. That we’re back in another final—after reshaping the squad and losing legends—speaks volumes. OL Lyonnes remains the best place to win trophies.”

Oslo’s stage: a sentimental return for Lyon’s Norwegian stars

Beyond the statistics and accolades, this final carries a deeper significance for two key players. For Norwegian duo Ada Hegerberg and Ingrid Engen—both long-time Lyon stars—the match in Oslo is more than a game; it’s a chance to shine on home soil.

“I can’t wait to bring this team to Norway—to show our fans, especially people like Wendie Renard, the best of women’s football. She’s one of the greatest players in history, and I want to display that same class, that same excellence, in my home country.”

“Playing in Norway feels special, admits Engen, who made the switch from Barcelona to Lyon in the summer of 2025. It’s a responsibility Ada and I carried with pride. We wanted nothing less than to compete for this trophy on our turf, in the stadium where we play for our national team.”

For Lyon supporters unable to travel to Norway, the match will be broadcast live on a giant screen at Place des Terreaux, where the club’s first-ever dedicated fan zone for OL Lyonnes will be inaugurated.