Corinthians hold Gotham, Zanotti sends Brabas to FIFA final

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Central do Timão

·28 January 2026

Corinthians hold Gotham, Zanotti sends Brabas to FIFA final

By Vinícios Cotrim | Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the morning of this Wednesday (28), Corinthians took the field in a historic match for women’s football worldwide. At the Gtech Community Stadium in London, England, the Brabas faced Gotham FC in the semifinals of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup. Gabi Zanotti was decisive and secured a 1-0 victory for Timão, sending the club to the final.

Now, Corinthians await the other semifinal, which will be played between Arsenal and ASFAR, scheduled for 3:00 PM (Brasília time) this Wednesday. The final is set for Sunday, February 1st, at Arsenal Stadium.

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Photo: FIFA/Press Release

The start of the match was full of scares for Timão, but the team led by Lucas Piccinato managed to find their footing on the pitch and made the only shot on target in the first 45 minutes. On the other hand, Lelê didn’t need to make any saves but stayed alert as the American club fired six shots in the first half.

The second half was dominated by the Americans. Gotham FC made substitutions at the start of the second half and began attacking constantly down the flanks, especially on the right side. However, it was Corinthians who seized the big chance and opened the scoring, after a play involving Ivana Fuso, Tamires, and Gabi Zanotti, the goal scorer.

Corinthians Starting Lineup

For the biggest match in the club’s women’s football history, Lucas Piccinato and the coaching staff decided to field the team with reinforcements and experienced players: Lelê; Gi Fernandes, Thais Ferreira, Letícia Teles, and Tamires; Ana Vitória, Duda Sampaio, and Andressa Alves; Jaqueline, Belén Aquino, and Gabi Zanotti.

On the bench, all other players registered for the competition: Nicole, Rillary, Gisela Robledo, Ariel Godoi, Ivana Fuso, Vic Albuquerque, Letícia Monteiro, Paola García, Juliete, Rhaizza, Day Rodríguez, Duda Mineira, Jhonson, Carol Nogueira, and Erika.

The only ones left out of this historic competition were goalkeeper Ana Morganti, defenders Agustina Barroso (injured) and Thaís Regina (injured), midfielders Juliana Passari, Manu Olivan, and Rafa Rocha, as well as forward Ellen Cristine.

Gotham FC Starting Lineup

Berger; Jaedyn Shaw, Bruninha, Lilly Reale, and Sonnett; Howell, McCaskill, and Rose Lavelle; Gabi Portilho, Midge Purce, and Jess Carter were the players chosen by coach Juan Carlos Amorós for the match that decided a spot in the grand final of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

Refereeing

The world football governing body selected referee Tess Olofsson (SWE) to officiate the match, accompanied by Almira Spahic (SWE) and Monica Lokkeberg (NOR) as assistants. Juliana Demetrescu (ROU) served as the fourth official during the game.

Photo: FIFA/Press Release

First Half

Corinthians started under pressure in the opening seconds. Gotham’s team pressed high, while the Brabas felt the effects of not having played since last year.

Despite the scare, Corinthians responded minutes later with a counterattack that ended with Jaqueline on the edge of the box. She crossed inside and found Belén Aquino, who shot wide.

At 16 minutes, Gotham pressed Corinthians’ build-up and forced Lelê to pass the ball straight to an opponent. Despite the chance, McCaskill didn’t finish well.

In the next play, Gi Fernandes once again found Jaqueline behind the opposing fullback. The forward took on her marker, entered the box, dribbled, but her shot was blocked. Minutes later, Andressa Alves received the ball at the edge of the area and shot, but it posed no threat to the goalkeeper.

And Corinthians really got into the game. Belén Aquino stole the ball in the opponent’s half and drove forward. The forward shook off her marker and passed to Gabi Zanotti, who held up play and found Andressa Alves arriving. Number 8 shot, but it was blocked.

Gotham tried to respond after that, without success. The match remained competitive, with the American team advancing through set pieces, but Lelê was not forced into any saves. On the other side, Corinthians maintained a high press.

After a frenetic start, both teams began to play at a slower pace, with Gotham trying to create plays and Corinthians looking to find a counterattack. The first 45 minutes ended 0-0, with one shot off target and one on target for the Brabas, while Gotham shot six times off target.

Photo: FIFA/Press Release

Second Half

Right at the start of the second half, forward Gabi Portilho, who once played for Corinthians and now plays for Gotham FC, felt her ankle and asked to be substituted. Stengel came on to replace her in the same position.

The first big chance of the second half was for Gotham. After a play down the right, Purce reached the byline and crossed into the box. Stengel shot dangerously, but pulled it too far and missed the target.

The first 15 minutes were all American pressure. Corinthians couldn’t mount any counterattacks, unlike the first half. Belén Aquino was the Brabas’ only outlet, but couldn’t create any chances.

Looking to press more in attack, forward Jhonson came on for Ana Vitória, who made her debut in this spell with Corinthians. With that, Gabi Zanotti dropped back to play as an attacking midfielder, while the youngster became the center forward.

Duda Sampaio almost scored a wonder goal. Number 27 received the ball in midfield, saw the goalkeeper off her line, and shot from distance. The keeper could only watch as the ball went just wide of the right post, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Lucas Piccinato took off Belén Aquino, who was making her debut for Corinthians, to bring on Ivana Fuso. She moved to the right wing, while Jaqueline switched to the left, reversing their positions from the start of the game.

GOAL FOR CORINTHIANS: Ivana Fuso led a counterattack down the right and crossed into the box. The ball fell to Tamires, who crossed again and found Gabi Zanotti. Number 10, captain and Queen of the Americas, finished with no chance for the opposing goalkeeper. 1-0 for the Brabas!

After the goal, Gotham’s pressure increased even more. Corinthians remained solid in defense, clearing every ball. To give the team fresh legs, Vic Albuquerque and Day Rodríguez came on for Andressa and Jaqueline, respectively.

The referee added eight minutes of stoppage time. The Brabas held on under pressure until the end and secured their place in the grand final of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

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