CAITLIN FOORD SEALS THE DEAL FOR ARSENAL IN THE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL
The inaugural Women’s Champions Cup Final had it all: gruelling weather conditions, 90 minutes of blistering end-to-end play, a 96th-minute penalty to take the match into extra time, and a 104th-minute Caitlin Foord winner.
The Aussie winger’s first goal since September couldn’t have come at a better time for the Gunners, who made history as the first-ever winners of the new competition in front of a home crowd at The Emirates.
A CUP WELL-FOUGHT FOR
The Arsenal squad had to fight – really, really hard – for this victory.
The match was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with both teams showing periods of dominance.
Despite Corinthians arriving in London during their off-season and facing travel fatigue, the Brazilian side proved a constant threat with fast counterattacks and relentless intensity.
Arsenal seemed set to win in regular time, but an injury-time penalty conceded by Katie McCabe allowed Vic Albuquerque to equalise for the Brazilians, forcing extra time.
Ultimately, it was Caitlin Foord’s decisive winner that proved the difference between the teams, highlighting Arsenal’s resilience.
Gunners Manager Renee Slegers summed the evening up perfectly in an interview with the BBC: “There was good football, duelling and momentum shifts. I’m proud of the team in the rain, in the circumstances, we get over the line and find a way to win this game.”
A CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR FOORD
In a post-match interview, Foord admitted that settling the first-ever Champions Cup Final was one of the best moments of her career so far:“It feels good, [even] just to get on the scoresheet in general. As a forward, that’s your job, but to do it in a moment like this is special.
“It’s definitely up there [with best career moments], to score a match-winner is a real nice moment, it’s one I’ll cherish for sure.”
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