Corinthians are the most successful side in the Copa Libertadores Femenina. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Corinthians won the 2025 Copa Libertadores Femenina for a record sixth time after narrowly getting the better of Colombian side Deportivo Cali.
The two-time defending champion certainly had to be considered the favorite going into the game, even though both sides’ routes to the final were nearly identical. Both drew their opening group stage game before winning the following two with clean sheets to finish on top of their respective standings. Corinthians then put four past Argentine side Boca Juniors in their quarterfinal, while Deportivo Cali put together an impressive display to beat São Paulo 2-0. Both semifinals went to penalties as Ferroviária scored a late equalizer in the all-Brazilian affair before losing out in a 14-kick shootout, while the Colombians saw out a goalless draw with Chilean champions Colo-Colo before prevailing with a spotless record from 12 yards out.
The two teams had met once in the past–in the 2022 group stage when Deportivo Cali staged a memorable upset by beating the defending champion 2-1 on the opening day of the tournament. This was Las Verdiblancas’ fourth appearance in the premier South American women’s football tournament, but they had never previously gotten as far as the final.
Understandably, then, it was Corinthians who looked more in control in the opening exchanges of the match. The Brazilian champion certainly kept much more of the ball, but did not pose too much of an attacking threat in what proved to be a pretty quiet first half. Noteworthy chances were few and far between, but the title holders thought they scored on the stroke of half-time as they managed to bundle a set piece in. After a fair few minutes of a detailed VAR review, a subjective offside was found, and the goal was cancelled.
Corinthians came out with some more attacking intent after the break, but a clear-cut opening remained elusive. Deportivo Cali did not sit around passively and soon began to try to generate some threat of their own, leading the game to open up more. Still, neither keeper could be beaten or even seriously troubled for the most part, so penalties were needed once again.
40-year-old Corinthians captain Gabriela Zanotti converted the first attempt, and she was matched by her Colombian counterpart Paola García. Deportivo Cali slipped up on the second time of asking, though, as Kelly Ibargüen’s effort crashed off the frame of the goal and came right back to her. Seizing the advantage, each of the Brazilian side’s takers held their nerve, setting up teenage talent Jhonson to deliver the final blow and win the shootout 5-3.
With that, Corinthians won the Libertadores for a record-breaking third consecutive time. Their status as South America’s best team is certainly very hard to dispute as they have now won both the continental crown and their domestic league in each of the last three occasions.
For the first time, the Libertadores winner also got a ticket to another international competition. The inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will kick off in early 2026, in which Corinthians will get a direct ticket to the semifinal to face CONCACAF champion Gotham FC.