Arsenal 3-2 Corinthians: Gunners win inaugural Women’s Champions Cup after five-goal extra-time thriller | Football News

Caitlin Foord’s extra-time goal lifted Arsenal to the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup trophy in an incredible 3-2 thriller against Corinthians at the Emirates.

Olivia Smith’s opener was canceled out by Gabi Zinotti’s scrappy first-half equalizer, before Lotte Wubben-Moy’s second-half header put Arsenal back in front.

But Corinthians’ Vic Albequerque sent the match into extra time when she scored a last-gasp penalty after VAR sent the referee to the screen for a foul by Katie McCabe, before Foord provided the winning goal.

The victory made Arsenal the first team to win the Champions Cup and earned them a whopping £1.7million – the biggest prize pool ever seen in women’s football.

Smith opened the scoring when she headed past Lele in the Corinthians goal after latching onto Stina Blackstenius’ rebound after a quarter of an hour. But Corinthians equalized almost instantly – a Duda Sampaio driver from close range forced a fantastic save from Anneke Borbe, and a chaotic goal-line rush from the ensuing corner allowed Gabi Zinotti to nod home easily from close range.

Arsenal’s pressure – totaling 77 per cent possession and 12 shots on goal in the first half – finally showed when Emily Fox’s looping cross was met by centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy. His perfectly placed header restored his side’s lead on the hour mark, a move which saw Smith suffer a match-ending injury.

Twenty-year-old substitute Jhonson wasted a golden opportunity for Corinthians when she was smothered by Borbe while clear with the keeper, but it was the Gunners who looked more likely to score – Foord almost put the game to bed when his deflected effort rattled the post after 75 minutes.

A one-goal lead looked enough to take the Gunners home, but Katie McCabe kicked past Gisela Robledo, forcing VAR to intervene and allowing Victoria Albequerque to convert a last-gasp penalty in an incredible twist to equalize.

Corinthians, buoyed by their late equalizer, took control, and early chances from Vitoria and Fuso almost turned the game on their head, but it was Foord who had the last word when she slipped under Lele after 104 minutes to seal Arsenal’s silverware with her first goal since September.

The full-time whistle, which came after a 10-minute stoppage due to a serious injury to Anneke Borbe, was eventually met with cheers from the Emirates crowd as Arsenal became world champions on their home turf, winning their second piece of international silverware alongside their Women’s Champions League title last May.

Slegers: Proud to have crossed the finish line

Arsenal director Renee Slégers:

“I think we showed control in the first half.

“They kept a low profile, we played low. But in the second half, that’s how football goes.

“Corinthians put in a superb performance – so much passion, intelligence, aggression.

“After the penalty we had to regain control. But I’m so proud of the players that we found a way to get over the line and win the trophy.

“In the first half of extra time we had to take the lead and in the second half we had to keep it. I’m so happy we did it.”

Wubben-Moy: We want more silverware

Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy:

“It’s not often you get to make history at Arsenal. To win in front of our fans – the first ever – that’s why we do it.

“That’s the goal of this tournament: to bring people together and organize a high-level competition.

“It’s great to have the first piece of silverware, but we want more.”

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