Arsenal emerged as winners of the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup by edging Brazil’s Corinthians after extra time in a rain-soaked final at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were seconds away from a 2-1 victory in regulation time but Vic Albuquerque converted a 96th-minute penalty as the South American champions took the game into the additional half hour.
But substitute Caitlin Foord struck the winner in the 104th minute after beating goalkeeper Lele at her near post to break the Corinthians hearts.
As the first-ever champions of the new Fifa tournament featuring champions from every continent, the Gunners will also bank a cash prize of $2.3m (£1.7m).
But the game ended on a worrying note as Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after clashing with team-mate Lotte Wubben-Moy in the closing moments of extra-time.
A large contingent of Corinthians supporters were at full volume in north London, unhindered by the Gunners racing into an early lead.
Stina Blackstenius latched on to a disastrous back pass from Leticia Teles but was denied by Lele only for Olivia Smith to follow up on the rebound to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.
But the Brazilian champions gave their fans an immediate lift with a spirited response as parity was restored six minutes later when 40-year-old captain Gabi Zanotti’s header from a corner skimmed off Steph Catley and into to the goal.
The home side were frustrated by Corinthians for the remainder of the first half but they were back in front in the 58th minute as Wubben-Moy planted a looping header from Emily Fox’s cross in the goal.
That looked like the winner for the European champions until Katie McCabe made contact with Gisela Robledo in the box deep into stoppage time and referee Katia Itzel Garcia awarded Corinthians the penalty from which they restored parity.
Arsenal, though, would have the final say as Frida Maanum stole possession in the Corinthians half and fed Foord, whose low drive crept in at the near post to secure the brand new trophy for the Women’s Super League (WSL) side.
Meanwhile, NWSL’s Gotham FC secured third place with a 4-0 win against AS FAR Rabat of Morocco earlier in the day.
The North American champions, featuring America legend Rose Lavelle, England defender Jess Carter and former Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, had suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Corinthians in the semi-finals.
