The Concacaf W final pitted the Washington Spirit and Club América against each other. The final was held at the Hidalgo stadium – the home of Pachuca.
Match for the 3rd place
Pachuca went all in to defend their home, even if it was for third place, against Gotham FC, a team that convincingly beaten by América in the semifinals.
Gotham rotated heavily while Tuzas didn’t want to let the third place slip out of their hands. One of the top goal scorers in Liga MX Femenil, Charlyn Corral, gave a masterclass in finishing and only
12 minutes into the match, she scored the first one for the home team.
Corral took advantage of Andrea Pereira’s long ball and finished with her left foot past goalkeeper Shelby Hogan. This tally was also historic for the tournament, since it was the second-earliest goal scored in a knockout-stage match in this tournament’s history.
Corral scored her brace in the 38th minute off a throw-in. Berenice Ibarra, the 17-year-old sensation, sent a ball to the penalty box and the striker shot, this time with her right foot, into the bottom corner. This goal also registered another stat, and that involves Ibarra, who became the youngest Mexican to record an assist in this competition.
Brazilian Aline Gomes sealed the deal near the end. This time, it was Karla Nieto the one who sent the pass to Gomes, who used her dribbling abilities and shot to the far corner.
At the end of the day, the NWSL reigning champions couldn’t break Pachuca’s low block. With the result, Pachuca earned an historic result that put them on an international podium for the first time and their first-ever win against an NWSL opponent.
Washington Spirit vs Club América
It was “thriller night” between these two teams that brought a goal fest and one of the best finals you’ll ever see.
It took 27 minutes for América to be 2-0. Aylin Avilez scored after captain Scarlett Camberos crossed the ball in the 22nd minute and five minutes later, Camberos passed the ball to Geyse, who, with a powerful strike, doubled the lead.
It looked like the Mexicans were going to have a comfortable win but the Spirit fought back and pulled one back in the 30th minute through Italian Sofia Cantore.
The second half brought more drama when Washington not only found the equalizer just one minute after the game resumed but also took the lead in the 58th minute through Rosamonde Kouassi. In this way, the Ivorian scored her brace and the momentum shifted to the Spirit’s side.
América looked lost and Washington was penetrating their lines easily. Goalkeeper Itzel Velasco didn’t have the best of games and the opponents tested her with long-distance shots that made América nervous.
However, it was coach Ángel Villacampa who made key substitutions in the 60th minute. Winger Sarah Luebbert, midfielder Irene Guerrero and defender Karen Luna entered the game and made a huge change on the field.
The changes worked and 10 minutes later, Guerrero found the back of the net after a cross sent by Camberos. The Spirit kept fighting but the Mexicans secured the result in stoppage time when captain Camberos scored her goal in combination with Geyse. With the 5-3 score, the Eagles secured the title.
The continental cup had a special meaning for América. They won the domestic title less than a week ago and, after many finals lost, now they have another reason to celebrate. Added to that, this was the first time a Liga MX Femenil team won a continental trophy, which means they qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and the 2028 FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.
After the game, it was time for individual awards. America’s Scarlett Camberos was chosen as the tournament’s MVP after scoring six goals and three assists, three of which she scored against Gotham. Additionally, Goalkeeper Itzel Velasco was chosen as the Golden Glove after helping her team to secure clean sheets during the group stage and Montse Saldívar was chosen as the Best Young Player of the tournament.
The Spirit received the Fair Play award and Kouassi was chosen as Golden Boot after scoring six goals in the competition.
