FC Porto made a very strong start, forcing Barcelona into an error in the very first minute of the game, leading Marc Grau to commit a foul that resulted in a blue card. The Dragons made the most of the power play, with Rafa opening the scoring. The Dragons were the more direct side on the pitch, playing at pace and with well-organised attacking moves. It was no surprise that Gonçalo Alves scored the second shortly afterwards, following a powerful long-range shot that was unstoppable.
Barcelona had to go in search of goals and did so, forcing FC Porto to sit back in front of their goal and defend rigorously. Still in the first half, Barcelona had two power plays, but the Porto players closed ranks well and maintained their lead until half-time.
Barcelona came out more aggressively after the break and managed to pull one back through Ignacio Alabart, who scored from the penalty spot, after di Benedetto was penalised for blocking the ball with his skate as it was heading towards the goal. The game then entered a more back-and-forth phase, with several interruptions and fouls. Porto benefited from two power plays in quick succession, but were also unable to capitalise on them.
As the final ten minutes began, FC Porto adopted a more cohesive strategy, tightening their defensive blocks, whilst Barcelona began playing in a decidedly more attacking manner, throwing everything at the game in search of an equaliser. The Portuguese side’s strategy proved more effective, as they extended their lead to 3-1 through Gonçalo Pinto, who dribbled past two opponents and slotted the ball over Sergi Fernández.
There were five minutes left, but Barcelona could find no way to pull one back and FC Porto controlled their lead, allowing the celebrations to erupt. The fourth WSE Champions League by Azemad trophy in Porto’s history had been secured.
What they said:
Paulo Freitas, FC Porto coach
“It was part of the game plan to start strongly. We knew there was a lot of quality on the other side, having secured two tremendous victories against formidable opponents, and we had to start strongly, be disciplined defensively, show solidarity, make good transitions and be aggressive in our positional attack. It was a fantastic first half and a more evenly matched second, with more of a struggle, but that’s part of the process towards victory. This victory is a moment of great satisfaction; we worked hard to make this happen, and now it’s back to work on what remains… because the best is always yet to come. Winning is fantastic, and winning finals is wonderful; to have helped FC Porto win yet another trophy for their museum is fantastic – that’s what we fight for every day, to deliver trophies to our fans.”
Ricardo Ares, Ricardo Ares coach
“It was a game of two halves; we were much better in the second half than in the first, but we needed to convert our chances and we didn’t manage to. FC Porto were very strong, very consistent; they have a team that has been built up over several years, unlike ours, which is still developing. We will now turn our attention to the league and fight for victory. We have many Champions League trophies, but we must be realistic and look at the present… it was very positive that we got this far, and now we must be focused on the future.”
FC Porto 3 – Barcelona 1
Final – WSE Champions League by Azemad 2025/2026
Sunday, 10 May 2026, 18:00, Dr. Mário Mexia Multisport Pavilion
Referees: Joseph Silecchia (Ita), Francesco Stalone (Ita) and Pedro Figueiredo (Por)
FC Porto – Xavi Malián; Rafa, Gonçalo Alves, Carlo di Benedetto and Hélder Nunes
Substitutes – Leonardo Pais, Telmo Pinto, Edu Lamas, Pol Manrubia, Ezequiel Mena
Manager: Paulo Freitas
Barcelona – Sergi Fernández; Ignacio Alabart, Ferran Font, Sergi Aragonès and Marc Grau
Substitutes – Carles Grau, Xavi Barroso, Eloi Cervera, Pablo Álvarez, Sergi Llorca
Manager: Ricardo Ares
Goals: 1-0 by Rafa (2’); 2-0 by Gonçalo Alves (8’); 2-1 by Ignacio Alabart (28’); 3-1 by Telmo Pinto (45’)
At half-time: 2-0
Cards:
Blue: Marc Grau (1’); Telmo Pinto (9’); Hélder Nunes (19’); Marc Grau (30’); Xavi Barroso (34’)
Yellow: Ricardo Ares
Carlo Di Benedetto (FC Porto) and Ignacio Alabart (Barça)
Rafa Costa (FC Porto)
FC Porto is the new Men’s European Champion!
WSE Champions League Men– Final Eight
Final
Sunday, 10 May
18:00 – FC Porto (POR) vs Barça (ESP) = 3-1
WSE Champions League Women – Final Four
Final
Sunday, 10 May
12:00 – CP Esneca Fraga (ESP) vs SL Benfica (POR) = 4-1