Corinthians upset Gotham in inaugural semi-final
Gotham FC’s hopes of reaching the first-ever Fifa Women’s Champions Cup final were derailed on Saturday night as Corinthians snatched a dramatic 1-0 win, sealed by a late goal from veteran captain Gabi Zanotti.
With the match seemingly heading for extra time, the 40-year-old midfielder popped up in the 83rd minute to deliver the decisive moment, punishing Gotham for failing to turn periods of pressure into a breakthrough. The NWSL champions had been widely tipped as finalists before kick-off, but Corinthians held their nerve and found a way when it mattered most.
Zanotti delivers when it counts
The goal capped a disciplined Corinthians display and underlined why the São Paulo giants remain one of the most decorated sides in the women’s game. Zanotti, a long-time leader for club and country, struck late to tilt a tight semi-final in Corinthians’ favour and send their travelling support into celebration.
For Gotham, the defeat will sting. They came into the tournament with growing expectation, and much of the pre-match conversation centred on a potential showpiece final featuring Gotham and Arsenal. Instead, Corinthians have rewritten the script.
Piccinato: “Corinthians are here”
After the final whistle, Corinthians head coach Lucas Piccinato made it clear his side were motivated by the external predictions.
“Everyone was talking about maybe Gotham and Arsenal in the final but Corinthians are here and we played a very good game to beat the NWSL champions,” Piccinato said. “We know what we can do.”
His comments reflected both pride in the performance and a pointed reminder that Corinthians’ pedigree is not to be underestimated, even against North America’s reigning champions.
A statement win on the global stage
This result will be viewed as a significant marker for the competition’s inaugural edition: a South American heavyweight knocking out one of the most high-profile teams from the United States, with a captain twice the age of many of the tournament’s emerging talents deciding the tie.
Corinthians now move one step from lifting the trophy and will await the winner of the other semi-final. Gotham, meanwhile, are left to regroup and reflect on a game where margins were fine, but the decisive touch belonged to the visitors.
