Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers praised her side’s ability to dig deep as the Gunners were crowned Champions of the World in a hard fought win over Corinthians.
All of the action played out on the turf of Arsenal Stadium as Caitlin Foord’s extra-time winner solidified a 3-2 victory for Arsenal in what turned out to be a thrilling inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final.
Despite taking an early lead through Olivia Smith, the Gunners were heavily tested by the counter-attacking Brazilian side who forced an extra time battle thanks to a 2-2 leveller from Victoria Albuquerque.
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Slegers praises Corinthians after tough extra-time battle
Reflecting on the gritty performance, Slegers praised Arsenal’s opposition who took the game to the Gunners and offered a brilliant away support to London.
“I think we are good on the ball, we play them low, they are accepting to be low and it’s what we expected, but we always knew that they were going to be dangerous and that they were really, really good and disciplined defending their area.” Slegers said.
“That’s what they [Corinthians] did tonight. All my respect to the opposition because it was a really hard game. So together with the fans, who kept on jumping – they brought so much intensity to the game.
“So it was it was a really hard game for us tonight and because of the reasons, because of ourselves, I think we could have built a game earlier, taking chances and creating better spaces. But at the same time, like I said, a lot of credit to the opposition for closing these places.”
Corinthians frustrated Arsenal in areas of the game, often forcing a turnover and progressing up the pitch with speed.
“I think the game was what we expected it to be and the opposition came out as we expected, it’s how they started,” Slegers reflected when asked whether the Brazilian side surprised Arsenal. “A big part of their game is when they are in a position where they’re happy with the score line, they will slow it down and they will try to make the game go to their hands and do everything they can to control the tempo.
“That was frustrating sometimes, but I think we spoke to the players about staying in the controlled middle from a psychological perspective, never too high never too low and I think we managed that well from a psychological perspective.”
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Renée Slegers ‘proud’ to win Champions Cup with Arsenal
After winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League in May 2025, Arsenal booked their place in the inagural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, representing Europe on the world’s stage. Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, Slegers recognised the challenges whilst still remaining proud of her side’s efforts.
“If you bring different continents together, it’s gonna be a challenge, because competitions are different and run at different times of year,” Slegers noted. “We’re in the middle of the season, so across the challenges to make it work pushing these two games in the middle of a busy season for other teams.
“It’s about being in preseason and not having played competitive games yet. So there’s challenges everywhere. I think it’s always going to be a challenge as long as the competitions run differently across the world.
“I’m proud, of course, that we won the competition because you play against the champions of different continents, serial winners and we win it. So I think it’s, we are proud to win it and to have participates in this competition.”
Arsenal Player Ratings as Gunners claim title of Champions of the World in 3-2 victory over Corinthians