Arsenal have won the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup with a 3-2 victory over Corinthians on Sunday.
The Gunners opened the scoring inside the opening 15 minutes thanks to Olivia Smith in front of a crowd of over 25,000. However a reply was almost instant as Gabi Zanotti drew Corinthians level.
It was not until midway through the second half that Arsenal claimed victory with Lotte Wubben-Moy fittingly heading home. A late penalty from Vic Albuqueque forced extra time but Caitlin Foord would secure the title for Arsenal with a near post drive.
Arsenal had made five changes from their 6-0 victory over AS FAR on Wednesday in Brentford. Katie McCabe, Steph Catley, Emily Fox, Alessia Russo and captain Kim Little returned to the starting line up. Smilla Holmberg, Laia Codin, Taylor Hinds, Victoria Pelova and Frida Maanum dropped to the bench.
Corinthians made no changes to face Arsenal after their surprise victory over Gotham FC that spoiled the bookies WSL and NWSL party. The Brazilian side impressed in midweek and their band of dedicated followers made the journey across London to support their team. Andressa started in midfield where she would face former Barcelona team mate Mariona Caldentey. Gabi Zanotti led the line and captained the side after her heroics on Wednesday had ensured her team a place in the final.
Accusations of training ground spying had added further tension to this one during the week and by kick off it was an electric atmosphere. Earlier in the day Gotham had secured third place in the competition thanks to a 4-0 victory over AS FAR. Arsenal welcomed Corinthians to complete the medal table for the first ever FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
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The Lineups
ARS: Borbe; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona; Russo, Smith, Mead; Blackstenius
COR: Leticia; Gi Fernandes, Leticia Teles, Thaís Ferreira, Tamires; Aquino, Duda Sampaio, AnaVitória, Jaqueline, Andressa; Gabi Zanotti
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The Action
Arsenal started brightly and on the front foot, a short corner routine forced Leticia into the first save of the match punching clear from Caldentey’s chipped cross. The first clear cut chance came from a toe poked pass from Fox which released Russo bearing down on goal. Leticia raced out to meet her and made an excellent save.
Gabi Zanotti had the first sight of goal for the visitors, in front of an electric away support her effort from outside the box went clear of Anneke Borbe’s crossbar. The Gunners were attempting intricate play to unlock the Brazilian side’s defence to no avail in the early minutes. Their opponents, Corinthians looked to score on the counter attack and break in the quick transitional moments.
Arsenal had their lead within 15 minutes and it would be handed to them by the visitors. A through ball from Russo was intercepted by Teles yet excellent pressure from Stina Blackstenius forced a back pass that fell drastically short. The Swede ran onto the ball, forcing another great stop from Leticia but Olivia Smith finished into the bottom corner with aplomb.
Arsenal nearly doubled their lead before the 20 minute mark as Smith put the afterburners on to outpace her marker Gi Fernandes. Reaching the bye line her cross was cleared but only as far as Beth Mead. Mead, still inside the box, fired on goal but again the Corinthians keeper was in the way. The Brazilian side were showing flashes of threat on the break. Borbe was forced into an excellent save from Duda whose effort was tipped onto the bar and over by the German. From the resulting corner, chaos. Met by the head of Zanotti, the ball took a harsh deflection away from Borbe, falling backwards, who clawed the ball away in vain, the ball had already crossed the line. The South American champions had found a speedy response to level proceedings in the final.
Beth Mead created a brilliant opportunity with ten minutes to play in the opening half. Her cross into the box was met by the head of Russo in the pouring rain but Leticia made another fantastic save with her feet to deny the English striker. Leticia was called into action again this time by Mead with time ticking down in the opening half. The Lionesses winger’s shot from the right side was simple for the Brazilian keeper to deal with.
Arsenal nearly scored an extraordinary goal with Mead chipping it to Maanum who flicked the ball deeper into the Corinthians box. Russo chested the ball down but could only fire right down Leticia’s throat. The England striker caused further issues after intricate play from Arsenal found her in the box but her fizzed cross was well cleared. With just over 30 minutes left Arsenal had the goal their attacking play deserved. Fox looped her cross to the back post where Lotte Wubben-Moy was peeling off her marker. Wubben-Moy’s powerful header found the bottom corner and Arsenal were back in front. Smith went down heavily in the build up, a clear foul that was missed by the officials.
Corinthians almost replied quickly again after substitute Jhonson was released through on goal by Teles. Jhonson, opening up her body in an attempt to find the far corner saw her effort brilliantly stopped by Borbe in the Arsenal goal. Arsenal were desperately close to a third after great work from Caitlin Foord who slipped in Little. Little’s pull back found Mead at the back stick and an excellent block followed. Foord picked up the ball and her deflected effort bounced off the bar. Arsenal continued to threaten as the minutes ticked down as Maanum’s shot from distance was well saved by Leticia.
There was one final twist in the 90 however, as Corinthians levelled with one of the last kicks of regulation time after McCabe was dubiously penalised for a foul on Gisela Robledo. The referee did not give a penalty initially but went to the screen to check the challenge, after a VAR review she awarded the spot kick. Vic Albuqueque stepped up and levelled the scores to the reckless abandon of the Corinthians crowd. The encounter was set for extra time.
As extra time began, Albuqueque almost made it three for the visitors after her flicked header was well stopped by the hand of Borbe. Corinthians had started the half well but Arsenal broke on the counter to devastating effect. Frida Maanum found Foord out wide who bore down on goal, an excellent finish into the bottom corner evaded Lecitia and lifted the roof off the North London ground.
Victoria Pelova, who came off the bench for Mariona almost handed Corinthians a leveller when she dawdled too long on the ball. She was tackled but Corinthians were unable to find the target with the effort from range. Foord nearly scored again after yet more great play from Maanum but Leticia, exceptional on the night, denied her. Corinthians remained a threat with a strike from range, Robledo’s effort whizzing past the post. Anneke Borbe to a concerning knock to the head with moments remaining which left the goalkeeper receiving medical attention
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Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: Anneke Borbe – 9/10 – Made a great save to tip the ball over the bar in the first half from Duda and was unlucky with a late deflection for the goal. The German goalkeeper made an astounding save to deny Jhonson an equaliser one on one and another at the start of extra time.
RB: Emily Fox – 8.5/10 – Created a magnificent chance for Russo within the first five minutes. Her looping ball for Wubben-Moy to score the goal that gave Arsenal that second was excellent between the two former North Carolina Tar Heels.
RCB: Lotte Wubben-Moy – 8.5/10 – The Arsenal defender made up for a loose pass early on by winning back possession against Corinthians. Demonstrated a good range of long passing, a huge improvement in her game this term. Scored an excellent header to regain Arsenal the lead.
LCB: Steph Catley – 7.5/10 – Her calm presence at the back has been a feature of Arsenal’s recent victorious search for silverware, that did not change today.
LB: Katie McCabe – 6.5/10 – Linked up Arsenal’s early play in the offensive half well, always an option in attack. Ability to read the game and make interceptions high up the pitch helped keep the pressure on Corinthians. Was penalised for a late penalty, the foul was dubious but it was a reckless kick that gave the referee a decision to make.
CM: Kim Little – 8/10 – Had a physical battle in midfield and was a match for her opponents. Used every bit of her experience to ensure Arsenal maintained control.
CM: Mariona Caldentey – 7.5/10 – As ever she linked up play and kept Arsenal ticking in the midfield.
RW: Beth Mead – 7.5/10 – Mead seems back to her best linking up the play with clever touches. She won important free kicks in advanced areas.
LW: Olivia Smith – 8/10 – Scored the opening goal and was a constant, non stop threat for the home side. The Canadian provides something that Arsenal had been missing.
CAM: Alessia Russo – 8.5/10 – Expert dribbling at times in this match, it is not often Brazilians are shown up in that regard but today they were. Her creativity in the 10 continues to impress, had opportunities in front of goal she should have taken.
ST: Stina Blackstenius – 6.5/10 – Did well to pressure and force the mistake for Arsenal’s opening goal. Profligate in front of goal. The Swede was withdrawn at half time.
SUBS
Frida Maanum (46′ Blackstenius) – 8.5/10 – Had a couple of excellent touches of the ball in and around the Corinthians box. Tracked back to defend her own box more than once and found Foord in space time and again. That included the winner.
Caitlin Foord (64′ Smith) – 8.5/10 – A willing runner who had improved passing output in the final third on Sunday night. Did exactly what was asked of her, her finish was sumptuous.
Smilla Holmberg (64′ Fox) – 7.5/10 – Her awareness of danger is so impressive as is her ability to cross near the bye line.
Chloe Kelly (77′ Mead) – 6.5/10 – Still regaining full fitness, a difficult and physical match to come into on your return from injury.
Laia Codina (92′ Little ) – 7/10 – Was introduced to play in the six after Kim Little was withdrawn. She did a good job and provided height from set pieces.
Victoria Pelova (106′ Little ) – 6/10 – Made an almost very costly error in midfield after holding onto the ball for too long.
Daphne van Domselaar (120′ Borbe) – N/A –
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The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Anneke Borbe
The Arsenal keeper was not consistently busy against Corinthians but when called upon she put the team on her back. The German made several exceptional stops and kept Arsenal ahead or level at vital junctures of the game. Borbe took a heavy knock in the final moments and had to be stretchered off, we hope she is okay.