Ann-Katrin Berger fails to keep out Gabi Zanotti's strikeImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Corinthians have not played a competitive game since 14 September

Brazilian side Corinthians ignited Fifa's inaugural Champions Cup by shocking America's Gotham FC in the semi-finals to set up a meeting with Arsenal.

Captain Gabi Zanotti, 40, scored the decisive goal with eight minutes left at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, firing in from the edge of the box, with ex-Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger allowing it through her hands.

While Gotham had been the better side, resolute defending and wayward finishing meant they could not see off their South American opponents, and it cost them.

Corinthians will play Arsenal in Sunday's final after the Champions League winners beat Morocco's AS FAR Rabat 6-0 in Wednesday's later game.

The winners of six continental championships made it into this first edition of the Champions Cup with Gotham of North America and Corinthians of South America given a bye to the semi-finals.

A record prize pot for a women's football tournament of $2.3m (£1.7m) is on offer for the tournament winners and Gotham boasted the likes of America legend Rose Lavelle and England Lionesses defender Jess Carter in their starting line-up.

However, with both teams in their off-seasons, the game lacked rhythm and, while Gotham bossed possession, they mustered only one shot on target.

US winger Midge Purce was their key threat down the right and it was her purposeful running that set up Katie Stengel for a clear chance early in the second half, only for her compatriot to shoot wide from four yards.

That haphazard finishing was mirrored by team-mates Savannah McCaskill and Jaedyn Shaw, who failed to test the Corinthians goalkeeper when well placed.

Instead the Copa Libertadores champions made Gotham pay with a counter-attack, even if they were given a helping hand as Berger fumbled Zanotti's driven shot into the corner.

Despite having eight minutes of injury time, the National Women's Super League champions could not find an equaliser and were knocked out.

They will face a third-place play-off on Sunday afternoon, while Corinthians await Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on the same day at 18:00 GMT.

Player of the match

Number: 10 Gabi Zanotti
Average rating 6.88
Number: 30 A. Berger
Average Rating: 4.57
Number: 27 J. Carter
Average Rating: 4.11
Number: 4 L. Reale
Average Rating: 3.40
Number: 23 M. Purce
Average Rating: 3.38
Number: 16 R. Lavelle
Average Rating: 3.25
Number: 6 E. Sonnett
Average Rating: 3.22
Number: 18 Gabi Portilho
Average Rating: 3.13
Number: 2 J. Shaw
Average Rating: 3.13
Number: 7 J. Howell
Average Rating: 3.00
Number: 28 K. Stengel
Average Rating: 3.00
Number: 3 Bruninha
Average Rating: 2.89
Number: 13 S. McCaskill
Average Rating: 2.88
Number: 22 M. Freeman
Average Rating: 2.40
Number: 11 S. Schupansky
Average Rating: 2.00
Number: 21 S. Cook
Average Rating: 1.60
Number: 34 K. Harper
Average Rating: 1.60

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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