UPDATE - Barcelona retain Women's Champions League title

ADDS ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST

By Can Erozden

Spain's Barcelona retained the UEFA Women's Champions League title after a 2-0 win against French opponents Olympique Lyon in the 2024 final on Saturday.

Barcelona broke the deadlock in the second half of the Bilbao final at the San Mames Stadium. Spanish star Aitana Bonmati's shot deflected Lyon's Vanessa Gilles before going into the net in the 63rd minute.

Barca cemented their win in the injury time as Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas fired a powerful first-time shot that beat Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler.

The Spanish club clinched their third Women's Champions League title in history. Lyon are the record holders with eight titles.

Before the match, two individuals entered the San Mames' pitch to protest the Israeli onsalught against the Gaza Strip since October.

A "Stop Genocide" banner was shown and put on the pitch over the Palestinian flag while both clubs were near the center circle getting ready for kick off.

"EU Don't be an accessory," the banner also read.

Israel has killed nearly 36,000 Palestinians since a cross-border attack by Hamas that claimed less than 1,200 lives.

More than seven months into the conflict, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has mandated Tel Aviv to prevent its forces from committing genocidal acts and ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza.

In its latest ruling on Friday, the UN court ordered Israel to halt its offensive in the southern city of Rafah, which it invaded on May 6.