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Photo copyright Jay Patel/Sports Press Photo/SPP
The inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, a global club tournament designed to determine the world’s top women’s club side by pitting six continental champions against one another, wrapped up on Sunday with two matches at the Emirates Stadium in London. The competition culminated in a dramatic final that saw Arsenal defeat Corinthians 3-2 after extra time, while Gotham FC secured third place with a convincing 4-0 victory over AS FAR in the bronze medal match.
Arsenal came out on the front foot. In the 15th minute, Olivia Smith put the Gunners ahead after pouncing on a loose ball that spilled from a save by Corinthians’ keeper. It was a clinical finish that awarded Arsenal’s early momentum and got the home crowd buzzing.
But the Brazilian side weren’t intimidated, and just six minutes later, veteran midfielder Gabi Zanotti nodded home a set piece to level the score.
That back-and-forth trend continued into the second half. In the 58th minute, Arsenal regained the lead through a header from Lotte Wubben-Moy, but once again, Corinthians didn’t say die. Deep into stoppage time, Katie McCabe was called for a foul in the box, and a VAR check confirmed that Corinthians would have a chance to equalize. The subsequent penalty kick was put away confidently by Vic Albuquerque, and to extra time the teams went.
In the 104th minute, substitute Caitlin Foord stepped into the spotlight. Arsenal’s Frida Maanum recovered the ball in her own half, and began Arsenal’s counter attack. Maanum found a surging Foord out wide and after taking a touch, Foord deftly placed the ball into the net, beating the Corinthians keeper and putting Arsenal ahead 3-2.
That goal stood as the winner, crowning Arsenal as the first champions of the newly established tournament. It was a fitting moment for the Australian winger, who hadn’t found the net since September but whose influence off the bench ultimately helped decide the final.
Earlier on Sunday, Gotham FC made sure they had something to celebrate too. In the third-place clash against Moroccan side AS FAR, Gotham put on a clinical attacking display, putting four goals in the back of the net. Khyah Harper opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Savannah McCaskill doubled the lead soon after.
A Jaedyn Shaw penalty before halftime stretched the advantage even further, and Midge Purce added a fourth early in the second half.
That result was a solid payoff for Gotham after they narrowly missed out on the final, losing 1–0 to Corinthians in the semis.
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