Arsenal thrash AS FAR to reach Champions Cup final

ARSENAL booked their place in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup final with a comfortable victory over Moroccan side AS FAR.

Renée Slegers’ side qualified for the competition as winners of the Women’s Champions League and were strong favourites in the clash played in Brentford.

They were in ruthless form, fresh from their emphatic victory over Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on Saturday, and surged into a commanding 4-0 lead by half-time.

African champions AS FAR showed occasional glimpses of threat and quality but were largely overawed by Arsenal, who fielded a strong side despite making several changes.

Star names such as Alessia Russo, Emily Fox and Leah Williamson were not in the starting XI, yet Arsenal still possessed more than enough quality to dominate proceedings.

Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius, who scored the winning goal in Arsenal’s Champions League final triumph over Barcelona, opened the scoring with a header inside eight minutes.

Frida Maanum doubled the lead with a powerful strike soon afterwards, before Mariona Caldentey converted from the penalty spot. Olivia Smith added a fourth goal before the break to complete a dominant first-half display.

Slegers made several changes in the second half, including the introduction of striker Russo, watched by England manager Sarina Wiegman in the stands. Russo quickly made her mark, sealing the victory with two well-taken goals.

There was also a welcome return for England winger Chloe Kelly, who came off the bench after recovering from an injury she has managed since December.

— BBC

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