Irene Guerrero proved the hero as Club America defeated Washington Spirit in an eight-goal thriller to secure their first Concacaf W Champions Cup title.
The Liga MX Femenil side have now qualified for the second edition of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™, where they will face the Round 2 winners in the final phase of the global showpiece which is taking place in Miami from 27 to 31 January 2027.
Club America were made to work hard for victory in a rollercoaster match at a rainy Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca. After a balanced opening, Leicy Santos squandered a glorious chance to give Washington the lead in the 22nd minute after she scuffed a close-range effort with the Club America goal gaping. It immediately proved a costly miss.
Just seconds later, the Mexican side took the lead after quickly breaking into the opposition half and Scarlett Camberos crossed for Aylin Avilez, who converted with style. Capitalizing on their advantage, Club America made it 2-0 after 27 minutes thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Geyse, who dazzled her way past Esme Morgan and found the target.
Washington appeared down and out but Sofia Cantore pulled a goal back in some style with a 35-yard strike just before the half-hour mark. Moments later, Cantore then rattled the post after she was set up by Trinity Rodman.
Just 36 seconds into the second half, the National Women’s Soccer League side seized on their newfound momentum and levelled the scores when Ivorian forward Rosemonde Kouassi broke clear of the Club America defence and rifled a shot off the post and into the net.
Washington continued to push forwards and, after Morgan clipped the crossbar from distance, Kouassi gave the NWSL side the lead for the first time in the match with an exquisite right-footed effort in the 58th minute. However, there was yet another twist in the tale when Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver struggled to clear the ball on her goalline and Geyse pounced to make it 3-3.
Club America reclaimed the lead once again with 11 minutes remaining when Camberos found Guerrero, who spun and struck the ball into the corner past MacIver. Camberos then put the icing on the cake deep into injury time with a breakaway goal to give the Mexican powerhouses their first continental title.
What they said….
“It’s a team victory. I’m not just focused on my goal, I’m focused on the hard work of all my team-mates. This is for the fans who supported us from minute one. We are so happy. This team deserved to win a title because of all the hard work this club has put in. So, it’s amazing to be able to deliver a championship to the team and to the people.”
Irene Guerrero, Club America midfielder
