Arsenal captures inaugural Women’s Champions Cup

Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord struck in extra time to power the club to victory in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup on Sunday, defeating Brazil’s Corinthians 3-2 at a rain-soaked final at Emirates Stadium.

Reigning Champions League winner Arsenal looked set to seal the title in normal time, leading 2-1 before Vic Albuquerque converted a 96th-minute penalty ⁠to force extra time.

Olivia Smith and Lotte Wubben-Moy also scored for Renee Slegers’ team before Foord beat goalkeeper Lele at her near post in the 104th minute to earn a dramatic winner over the Copa Libertadores champion in front of a crowd that included FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“It’s not often that at Arsenal you can write history because history has been written so many times,” Wubben-Moy told Sky Sports.

“We stand on the shoulders of giants. To come to this inaugural competition and win it and do it with all of our fans here in style — our fans are wonderful and that’s who we do it for.

“To win the first silverware this year is a big leap forward. We want more. Stick with us, 2026 has more to come.”

As the winner of FIFA’s new intercontinental tournament featuring champions from all six confederations, Arsenal will collect a $2.3 million in prize money.

The one negative on the night was Arsenal’s goalkeeper Anneke Borbe being carried off on a stretcher following a collision with teammate Wubben-Moy late in extra time.

The timing of the tournament favored Arsenal, which is in the midst of its Women’s Super League season, while Corinthians is in its preseason and CONCACAF Champions Cup winner Gotham FC is in its offseason.

Arsenal thrashed Moroccan champion AS FAR 6-0 in Wednesday’s semifinal, while Corinthians had edged Gotham, of the National Women’s Soccer League, 1-0 in the other semifinal.

Gotham secured third place with a 4-0 win against AS FAR earlier on Sunday.

Source: The Japan Times 
--Agencies