Zanotti shines as Corinthians ease past Boca Juniors in the Libertadores | OneFootball

On the afternoon of this Saturday, the 11th, Corinthians faced Boca Juniors in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Libertadores. The ball rolled at the Estadio Nuevo Francisco Urbano, in Morón, Argentina, with both fanbases packing the stands. With a blazing start and a show by Gabi Zanotti, the Brabas won the clash 4–0 and advanced to the semifinals.

The first half ended with three Corinthians goals, all scored by the number 10. Early in the game, the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review, which Zanotti converted. The other two goals came from set pieces, with assists by Andressa Alves and Duda Sampaio.

Photo: Staff Images Woman/CONMEBOL

In the second half, with qualification well in hand, the coaching staff began making substitutions to give the team fresh legs and rest the starters with the likely next stage in mind. One of the players who came on, Jhonson, found the net and added to the scoreline.

Lineups

Looking to qualify for yet another Libertadores semifinal, coach Lucas Piccinato decided to start the match with Corinthians lined up as Nicole; Thais Ferreira, Erika and Mariza; Dayana Rodríguez, Duda Sampaio, Giesela Robledo and Tamires; Andressa Alves, Letícia Monteiro and Gabi Zanotti.

On the other side, Boca Juniors took the field with Oliveros; Cruz, Masagli, Baccaro and Pereyra; Ruffini, Gomez Ares and Sasaki; Mirr, Arias and Nuñez. The Argentines were managed by Florencia Quiñones.

Officiating

The crew was entirely female. For this match, Conmebol appointed Emika Calderas (VEN) as the referee. On the lines were assistants Elibith Higuera and Thaity Dugarte, also Venezuelan. Danna Victorino (COL) was designated as the fourth official.

Photo: Staff Images Woman/CONMEBOL

First half

Corinthians went on the attack early and, on one of the first entries into the box, Tamires tried to pass the ball and saw the play blocked by the arm of the xeneize defender. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty to Timão.

Corinthians goal: number 10 Gabi Zanotti took responsibility and made her experience count. Even with the goalkeeper diving the right way, the star struck a low cross-body shot with her right foot and opened the scoring for Timão.

Corinthians second goal: even with the lead, the Brabas kept pressing. From a corner by Andressa Alves, Gabi Zanotti popped up unmarked in the six-yard box and simply tapped it into the back of the net. 2–0, and the tournament scoring lead for the number 10.

In the ensuing plays, Boca Juniors tried to push forward, but Corinthians’ marking on the Argentine midfielders was effective. As soon as the ball crossed the halfway line, possession was won back by the People’s Team.

At 22 minutes, Corinthians had a chance to score a third after a through ball from Gabi Zanotti to Letícia Monteiro. She tried to chip the Boca goalkeeper but didn’t get enough on it, and the keeper saved and put it behind for a corner.

Nicole had work to do at 34 minutes. From a free kick from distance, the Corinthians goalkeeper smothered the ball on the uneven pitch and, at the second attempt, secured possession.

Corinthians third goal: Zanotti hat-trick! After she herself was fouled on the edge of the box, Duda Sampaio took the set piece and found the number 10 in the area, who headed it in. Even under pressure, Laurina Oliveiros had no chance to react.

The rest of the first half was calm, with Corinthians managing the game at a steady pace, given the heat and sun in the stadium.

Photo: Staff Images Woman/CONMEBOL

Second half

For the final period, the coaching staff brought on Juliete and Ariel Godoi in place of Tamires and Andressa Alves, respectively.

The first five minutes saw pressure from Boca Juniors, who came back from the locker room looking to cut the deficit. Despite the possession, Corinthians defended well, closing down plays and avoiding danger.

Approaching the 15-minute mark and with no threat of elimination, Lucas Piccinato made further changes to the Brabas. Day Rodríguez and Gabi Zanotti came off for Ivana Fuso and Jhonson.

After the changes, Robledo had a chance to score the fourth after a move down the right led by Ariel Godoi. The number 7 received the ball free in the box but shot weakly at the goalkeeper.

With renewed energy, Corinthians kept the ball, just as they did in the first half. The main bursts came down the right side of the attack, but the finishing lacked efficiency.

Corinthians fourth goal: on one of the surges down the right, Letícia Monteiro received the ball in the box, waited for the defense to lose its shape, and flicked a trivela pass to Jhonson at the far post. The center-forward launched herself and extended the lead for the People’s Team.

Thaís Regina came on for Letícia Monteiro with the same aim of giving the team fresh legs. Even becoming more defensive, Corinthians kept possession, keeping Boca Juniors away from their first goal.

In the final minutes, Timão simply managed the scoreline, preserving the win in the most effective defensive way: keeping the ball and seeking a fifth. In stoppage time, Boca Juniors almost scored after a defensive lapse, with Nicole off her line, but the shot went wide.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.