In a dramatic and historic encounter at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, Brazilian giants Corinthians pulled off a remarkable upset by defeating NWSL champions Gotham FC 1-0 in the first semi-final of the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup. The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when Corinthians' 40-year-old captain, Gabi Zanotti, fired home a late winner, sending the Brazilian supporters into rapturous celebrations and securing her team's place in the final.
A Momentous Victory Against the Odds
The match had been widely anticipated as a potential preview of a final between Gotham and Arsenal, with many pundits favouring the American side. However, Corinthians defied expectations with a disciplined and determined performance that showcased their tactical nous and resilience. Their manager, Lucas Piccinato, expressed immense pride in his squad's achievement, stating: "Everyone was talking about maybe Gotham and Arsenal in the final but Corinthians are here and we played a very good game to beat the NWSL champions. We know what we can do."
Piccinato emphasised that this victory is just the beginning, with the team firmly focused on lifting the trophy. "It's a momentous moment but we are planning for the final regardless of who we face and we want to leave England with the trophy," he declared, highlighting the ambition driving the Brazilian champions.
Gotham's Frustration and FIFA's Logistical Challenges
For Gotham FC, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Manager Juan Carlos Amorós acknowledged Corinthians' effective game plan but lamented his team's inability to convert dominance into goals. "We dominated the game on every aspect but as we all know football is about goals, you need to score goals. If you don't then you normally get punished and unfortunately that was the case," he reflected.
The tournament has presented significant logistical hurdles, particularly for Gotham, whose pre-season was brought forward to accommodate the competition. Amorós praised his team's effort despite these challenges, noting: "The players have given absolutely everything they have. Everyone has, from ownership to the last staff member. They've put a lot of time and effort and sacrifice to make sure that we were prepared to win."
Match Analysis: A Tight and Tense Affair
The game itself was a cagey affair, with both teams showing signs of rustiness after lengthy breaks from competitive action. Gotham had not played a fixture in two months, while Corinthians' last competitive match was four months ago. Despite this, the stakes were incredibly high, with a place in the final against either Arsenal or AS Far on the line, alongside continental bragging rights and a share of the $2.3 million prize fund.
Gotham started brightly and created the better chances in the second half, including a header from Emily Sonnett that was blocked on the line. However, as extra time loomed, Corinthians capitalised on a moment of hesitation in the Gotham defence. Zanotti expertly controlled the ball on the edge of the box before slotting it past goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling Corinthians fans.
The closing moments were marred by controversy when a late Gotham free-kick led to a red card for a member of the Corinthians staff. Despite the ensuing pressure, Gotham could not find an equaliser, with their final effort sailing wide of the post. The final whistle prompted an outpouring of emotion from the Corinthians bench, with players and staff flooding onto the pitch to celebrate their giantkilling achievement.
Corinthians' Resilience Shines Through
Corinthians' victory was all the more impressive given that three key players were only able to travel on Sunday due to visa issues, rendering them unavailable to start the match. This adversity only seemed to galvanise the Brazilian side, who displayed remarkable organisation and fighting spirit throughout the contest.
This result raises important questions about the timing and structure of the Women's Champions Cup, with FIFA likely to review the compromises made to fit the tournament into an already congested calendar. For now, however, Corinthians can bask in the glory of a historic win that has firmly placed them on the global women's football map.
