Late penalty drama as Arsenal chase inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup against Corinthians | OneFootball

Arsenal v Aston Villa – Barclays Women’s Super League

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Katie McCabe of Arsenal during the FA Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Meadow Park on May 27, 2023 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final between Arsenal and Corinthians went to extra time after Vic Albuquerque’s injury-time penalty left the score at 2-2.

Katie McCabe was adjudged to have committed a foul on Gisela Robledo after a VAR review – and the referee Katia Itzel Garcia announced her decision to award a spot-kick.

Olivia Smith had opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour – and Gabi Zanotti equalised six minutes later after some poor defending and goalkeeping.

Lotte Wubben-Moy thought she had scored a spectacular winner for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium just before the hour, sending a header flying into the net.

But Corinthians were resolute – and kept pushing in the inclement conditions, eventually finding their equaliser from the spot.

It meant that the match moved into 30 minutes of extra time, with the prospect of penalties if neither side could find a winner.

Arsenal: Slegers named strong team

Renee Slegers had named a strong Arsenal side, changing three out of four in the back line from the team that beat AS FAR in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Emily Fox, Steph Catley and McCabe were all in from the start, replacing Smilla Holmberg, Laia Codina and Taylor Hinds.

Kim Little and Alessia Russo also made the starting line-up.

Chloe Kelly, on her way back from injury, came on as a second-half substitute for Beth Mead.

FIFA Women’s Champions Cup: Gotham FC finish third

Earlier on Sunday, Gotham FC had finished third, beating AS FAR 4-0 with goals from Khyah Harper, Savannah McCaskill, Jaedyn Shaw (penalty) and Midge Purce.