Caitlin Forde’s extra-time goal sealed the inaugural Women’s Champions League trophy for Arsenal as they beat Corinthians 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.

Olivia Smith’s opener was offset by a scrappy first-half equalizer from Gabby Zinotti before Lot Ubben-Moi’s header put Arsenal back in front.

But Corinthians’ Vic Albeke converted a penalty kick at the last minute to send the game into overtime. VAR moved the referee for a foul on Katie McCabe to the screen before Ford scored the winning goal.

The win made Arsenal the first team to win the Champions League and earned them a massive £1.7 million bonus – the largest ever in women’s football.

Smith opened the scoring for Corinthians when he latched on to Stina Blackstanius’ rebound inside the Corinthians goal and fired home after a quarter of an hour. But Corinthians equalized almost immediately – Duda Sampaio’s long-range effort forced a fine save from Anneke Borbe, before a chaotic goal-line scramble from the corner allowed Gabi Zinotti to nod in an easy nod from close range.

Arsenal’s pressure – which totaled 77 per cent possession and 12 shots in the first half – finally showed when Emily Fox’s curling cross was met by centre-back Lot Ubben-Moy. Her perfectly placed bullet header restored her team’s lead at the end of the game, but Smith ended the game with an injury.

Substitute Johnson, 20, squandered a great chance for Corinthians when she was suffocated by Borbe in a perfect link-up with the goalkeeper, but the Gunners looked more likely to score – Ford’s deflected shot hit the post after 75 minutes and nearly ended the game.

A one-goal lead looked to be enough to send the Gunners home, but Katie McCabe kicked down Gisela Robledo, forcing VAR to intervene and allowing Victoria Albequerque to convert a late penalty for an incredible equalizer

Buoyed by a late equalizer, Corinthians took control of the game and early chances created by Victoria and Fuso almost turned the game on its head, but it was Forde who had the last laugh, replacing Lelei after 104 minutes to seal Arsenal’s trophy with her first goal since September.

The final whistle came 10 minutes after the game was suspended due to a serious injury to Anneke Borbe, ultimately earning cheers from the fans at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal became world champions in their own right and secured a second international trophy as they lifted the Women’s Champions League title last May.

Slegs: We’re proud we made it

arsenal manager Renee Sleggs:

“I thought we showed control in the first half.

“They were low-key and we were low-key. But the second half – that’s how football goes.

“The performance from Corinthians was outstanding – full of passion, intelligence and aggression.

“After the penalty we had to regain control. But I’m very proud of the players and we found a way to get over the line and win the trophy.

“We needed to get ahead in the first half of overtime and we needed to stay ahead in the second half – and I’m glad we did that.”

Ubben-Moi: We want more trophies

arsenal defender Lot Ubben-Moy:

“It’s not often that you get to write history at Arsenal. To win the title in front of our fans – for the first time ever – that’s what we did.

“That’s what this tournament is about – bringing people together and competing at the top level.

“It’s great to get that first piece of silverware but we want more.”

What happens next?