With incredible reaction, Cruzeiro beats Corinthians and takes Libertadores

In an exciting final, Cruzeiro defeated Corinthians on Saturday night (31) and became champions of the women's Libertadores da América for the first time, in their debut in the competition.

In normal time, the Cabulosas sought a 4-4 draw after losing 3-0, taking the title decision to penalties, winning 5-4. Goalkeeper Camila saved Gi Fernandes' shot, which ended up deciding the final.

Unlike the men's version, the women's Libertadores is all held in the same city. In 2026, the headquarters was Ecuador. The Casablanca stadium in Quito witnessed a historic final.

The first half, with great dominance by Timão, ended with a partial victory by 2-0, with both goals scored by Gabi Zanotti, the first from a header off Camila's counter and the second taking advantage of an error when the ball was released by Raposa.

The beginning of the second half did not indicate a reaction from the Cabulosas. On the contrary: after just three minutes, Vic Albuquerque appeared free to complete the ball first time and score Brabas' third.

However, Cruzeiro began to show signs of life and, before 10 minutes, had already reduced the deficit to 3-2, with goals from Byanca Brasil (the competition's top scorer, with six goals) and Vitória Calhau, taking a penalty.

At 22, Vic Albuquerque scored for the second time, again with a precise shot and seemed to give Corinthians the necessary margin to breathe a sigh of relief.

However, Cruzeiro pressed a new charge, reducing with Ketlin, with a header, after a corner kick and equalizing the score in stoppage time, with Letícia, also with a header.

The reaction was already historic, but the feat was crowned in the penalty shootout. After each team wasted two kicks by kicking out, on alternate kicks, Gi Fernandes kicked without much strength and Camila saved, confirming the title and driving Cruzeiro's entire coaching staff crazy.

The team had reached the quarterfinals of the Brasileirão, eliminated by Corinthians themselves and, with the title, ensured new participation in the continental tournament in 2027.

Timão, who saw their run of six Brazilian titles interrupted this year with the defeat to São Paulo in the final, also stopped at three consecutive Libertadores trophies, marking a low season for the most successful women's football team in the country.