Football is once again our life
The SC Corinthians Paulista women have won the Copa Libertadores Femenina for the sixth time – and the third time in a row. In the final of the 17th edition of the tournament, held in Argentina for the second time this year, they defeated Deportivo Cali 5-3 on penalties at the Estadio Florencio Sola of CA Banfield (southern Conurbano of the capital). After ninety minutes the score was 0-0. The stadium has a capacity of around 35,000 spectators and was almost empty. Corinthians has won all the finals in which they were. For the fourth time in total, the competition was decided on points. With the renewed triumph, “Timão” secured participation in next year’s Libertadores and collected a whopping $2 million in prize money, a horrendous sum by South American standards.
The final was fought on an equal footing by both women’s teams. While the Brazilians gained significantly more possession of the ball, the Cafeteras proved to be more dangerous overall. In the end the teams neutralized each other. Gabi Zanotti, Vic Albuquerque, Thais Ferreira, Mariza and Jhonson finally converted their penalty kicks safely for the Paulistas. At Cali, Paola García, Melanie Aponzá and Stefanie Perlaza showed no nerves – but the 22-year-old right full-back Kelly Andrea Ibargüen did: her shot landed on the crossbar and served Corinthians won the title again. Because the stadium was so empty, you could clearly hear the provocations of the two goalkeepers, with the Brazilian in particular going below the belt in a decidedly matter-of-fact way.
The final was the sixth between teams from Brazil and Colombia (only in 2018 Atlético Huila was able to defeat FC Santos – after penalties) and the fourth in a row (mind you: in 17 tournaments!). This is not surprising, women’s football in Brazil is the most talented in the subcontinent and the most supported in Colombia (unfortunately they have slacked off in Paraguay). The last seven titles have gone to Brazil, five of which were won by Corinthians Paulista. The dominance is similar for men. Since there have been no more final second legs, i.e. since 2019, the competition has always gone to Brazil (six times now), and in four of these six finals the majority of the people spoke Portuguese. For the current edition there is at least a final between the regatta club Flamengo from Rio and the SE Palmeiras from São Paulo. Doesn’t mean anything, but they are the two of the four semi-finalists who have money.
Back to the women. Both final teams had already had to take penalties in the semis. Corinthians had conceded just one goal in the group stage, humiliated Boca Juniors 4-0 in the quarterfinals and then eliminated Ferroviária from Araraquara (São Paulo state) from the spot. Deportivo Cali’s best placement to date was fourth place (2022). In the game for third place, they had to admit defeat against their eternal rivals, the red devils from América de Cali – 5-0. In Argentina they somehow muddled through the tournament, without glory, without shame. In the semi-finals, the final debutants were eliminated from Santiago de Chile after a zero number from the Colo-Colo point, which was mega tragic. Colo-Colo had won all group games and also the quarter-finals to zero. All the goals were scored by the nationalized 22-year-old Colombian Mary Yalenny Valencia, a great player. Only she didn’t score in the semi-finals and neither did anyone else. In the lottery from the point, she was the third shooter and she shot over the box. Otherwise everyone scored. That’s the beauty of football: it’s often very sad. We, who always stick with the little ones and the underdogs, rarely have anything to laugh about. But that only makes us stronger, that’s why we stick together. Is that nice? That a team, undefeated and without conceding a goal, is eliminated? And gets the only one in the game for third place in the first minute?
On the monetary side: Vice-Campeón Dep. Cali bagged $600,000, the third from Ferroviária $250,000. Colo-Colo was left with a starting pittance of $50,000. Shame! Like last year, the top scorer was 40-year-old Gabi Zanotti (Corinthians).
