Arsenal beat AS Far 6-0 to reach Women’s Champions Cup final

Arsenal defeated Moroccan side AS Far 6-0 to reach Sunday’s final of the inaugural Fifa Women’s Champions Cup, earning a place in the decider against Corinthians. The goals came early and often: Stina Blackstenius opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a header confirmed by goalline technology, Frida Maanum added a second four minutes later, Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty after a Zineb Redouani handball was picked up by the video assistant referee, and Olivia Smith put Arsenal 4-0 up before half-time.

Alessia Russo, introduced at the hour mark, added two more within 10 minutes after the break. Arsenal manager Renée Slegers praised her players’ handling of an unfamiliar opponent: “The players dealt so well with the unknown because it’s the first time we played against them. So, I’m really happy with that.

We are very together at the moment. We’re connected on the pitch. We’re doing things with a lot of discipline.” The match was the first time an African women’s club had faced a European club in a competitive official match, with AS Far notable for winning two Champions League titles in four years.

The Moroccan side set up with a back five and four midfielders, Sanaa Mssoudy the lone forward, and were described as worthy representatives of African football despite the heavy defeat. Corinthians had earlier beaten Gotham FC 1-0 at Brentford’s Gtech stadium.

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