Arsenal vs Corinthians: FIFA Women’s Champions Cup stats & head-to-head
Arsenal became winners of the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup by edging out Brazilian side Corinthians after extra time in a rain-soaked final at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were seconds away from a 2-1 victory in normal time, but Vic Albuquerque converted a penalty in the 96th minute as the South American champions took the match into the added half hour.
But substitute Caitlin Foord scored the winner in the 104th minute after beating goalkeeper Lele at her near post to break Corinthians hearts.
As the first-ever champions of the new Fifa tournament bringing together champions from all continents, the Gunners will also receive a cash prize of $2.3 million (£1.7 million).
But the match ended on a worrying note as Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe was carried off the field on a stretcher after clashing with teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy in the final moments of extra time.
A large contingent of Corinthians supporters were at full volume in north London, unhindered by the Gunners who took an early lead.
Stina Blackstenius latched onto a disastrous back pass from Leticia Teles but was denied by Lele only for Olivia Smith to follow in the rebound to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.
But the Brazilian champions immediately gave their supporters a boost with a spirited response as parity was restored six minutes later when 40-year-old captain Gabi Zanotti’s header from a corner grazed Steph Catley and went into the goal.
The home side were frustrated by Corinthians for the remainder of the first half, but were back in front in the 58th minute when Wubben-Moy planted a looping header from an Emily Fox cross into the goal.
It looked to be the winner for the European champions until Katie McCabe made contact with Gisela Robledo in the box deep in stoppage time and referee Katia Itzel Garcia awarded Corinthians the penalty from which they restored parity.
Arsenal, however, would have the last laugh as Frida Maanum stole possession in the Corinthians half and fed Foord, whose low shot slipped in at the near post to secure the team’s brand new Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.
Meanwhile, Gotham FC of the NWSL secured third place with a 4-0 victory over AS FAR Rabat of Morocco earlier in the day.
The North American champions, featuring American legend Rose Lavelle, England defender Jess Carter and former Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Corinthians in the semi-final.
More to follow.