Caitlin Foord was the hero for Arsenal. Photo: Getty Images
Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross are the first Australians to be crowned football world champions – and it was thanks to Matildas star Foord that Arsenal sealed a thrilling 3-2 win over Brazilian outfit Corinthians in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final.
Renee Slegers’ side are the first ever women’s club world champions, adding the global crown to their Women’s Champions League triumph, which qualified them for the tournament.
Catley played the full 120 minutes, while Cooney-Cross was on the bench in the match day squad.
Foord came off the bench to score a 104th minute match winner in extra-time, in a match the Brazilians came from behind in twice to force the game to 120 minutes; the goal that made it 2-2 was a late penalty.
Olivia Smith opened the scoring after 14 minutes, finishing on the rebound after Stina Blackstenius’ shot was saved. Arsenal dominated possession against a resolute Brazilian outfit, who were content playing with pace on the counter.
40-year-old Gabi Zanotti scored a header, which was deflected off Catley into goal, before Lotte Wubben-Moy finally broke past stubborn Corinthians goalkeeper Lele with a header in the 59th minute.
There was VAR drama late, which saw Corinthians awarded a penalty, which Vic Alburquerque converted.
Foord had thought she had put her side 3-1 up in the 75th minute, when her shot was desperately blocked by a defender.
But her time came.
After Frida Maanum won possession in midfield, she unleashed the Australian down the left in her trademark possession and beat Lele at the near post.
In 1999, Mark Bosnich won the Intercontinental Cup, an annual competition between the European and South American champions, which was not acknowledged by FIFA at the time and was only contested between the two continental champions.
Harry Kewell and Craig Johnston are the other Australian to have played in a final, with Liverpool, in 2005 and 1981/1984 respectively.
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