Making History: First Canadian Woman to Hoist Champions League Trophy

Twenty-one-year-old Canadian center back, Kadeisha Buchanan, becomes the first Canadian woman to lift the Champions League Trophy. On June 1^st, l’Olympique Lyonnais faced off against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Good friends from the Canadian women’s national soccer team, Ashley Lawrence of PSG and Kadeisha Buchanan of l’Olympique both had the opportunity of making history.

Very early on it seemed that Lyon would dominate the game throughout although PSG settled in right before the end of the half, creating some of their own chances. With both teams going somewhat back and forth with opportunities, the first half finished 0-0.

Going into the second half, Lyon dominated very early on with a few opportunities notably one from a free kick. The second half was a complete domination from Lyon and PSG struggled immensely to keep the game levelled. Lyon created chance after chance but was unable to produce enough quality finishes to break the tie. By the end of the 90, the game remained at a deadlock meaning extra time was going to be needed to settle this game.

The extra time continued on the same pattern as most of the game, Lyon with incredible opportunities but lacking the finishing touches; which is somewhat due to the organization of PSG. After another hard fought two halves the game went to a penalty shootout; an extremely familiar feeling for these two teams as it was the case a few weeks ago in the French Cup final.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

After 14 shooters, the shootout was tied at 6-6 and both keepers took their chance. PSG went first, Kiedrzynek who kept her team in the game missed her shot wide. The keeper of l’Olympique went right after and settled the game. L’Olympique after an amazing year lifted the Champions League trophy.

Kadeisha Buchanan is seen as a promising young star for the Canadian national team and this title is likely only the beginning of her successful career. Making a debut for Canada at the age of 17, she went on to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup Best Young Player Award and the Canadian Women’s Player of the Year in 2015. She has been referred to as the Christine Sinclair of defense by her coach and is living up to that title up to now.

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