Arsenal comfortably defeated the continental champions of Africa AS FAR 6-0 on Wednesday night to make the first FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final.
Goals from Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum, Mariona Caldentey, Olivia Smith and a brace from Alessia Russo ensured safe passage for the Gunners at the Brentford Stadium. Earlier on, in the first semi final at the same venue, Corinthians had stunned Gotham FC in a 1-0 victory and duly awaited the winner of this semi final in the inaugural final of the competition.
Arsenal were looking to join the Brazilian side in that final, and they shuffled the pack from the side that beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Six changes were made from that line up as Renée Slegers looked to ensure her side prevailed in West London once again.
Frida Maanum recovered from a head injury in training that ruled her out of the Chelsea match to start against AS FAR. Three changes were made the back line with Smilla Holmberg making her first start for Arsenal. Laia Codina and Taylor Hinds also came in with Emily Fox, Katie McCabe and Steph Catley rested. Victoria Pevola replaced Kim Little in midfield and Oliva Smith replaced Caitlin Foord after returning from suspension.
AS FAR’s last match prior to the semi final was a 4-1 league victory over FUS Rabat on January third. The Moroccan side are dominant at home, they have won all except one Moroccan league title since 2013. They also secured their second CAF Women’s Champions League title last year beating ASEC Mimosas in the final 2-1.
AS FAR are the only side to have won a match to reach this stage of the competition. Their quarter final victory saw them come from behind to beat Chinese club Wuhan Jiangda with Sanaâ Mssoudy scoring the winner in extra time.
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The Lineups
ASF: Er-Rmichi; Benzina, Rabbah, Ait El Haj, Boukhami, Redouani; Hajar, Mssoudy, Erroudany; Lahmari, Tagnaout
ARS: Borbe; Holmberg, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Hinds; Pelova, Mariona; Maanum, Smith, Mead; Blackstenius
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The Action
Arsenal began the match with intent keen to take an early lead. Beth Mead’s early in swinging corner found the head of Laia Codina who had peeled off the back post. She nodded the ball back into the danger area where Stina Blackstenius was first to meet it in the box. The Swede’s header was seemingly cleared off the line by Aziza Rabbah but goal line technology intervened and confirmed the European champions were ahead.
Shortly after a driving run forward from Lotte Wubben-Moy saw her approach the box and play a ball behind to Holmberg sprinting through. Holmberg’s cross was taken down by Maanum who had time to steady herself and find the bottom corner to double the Gunners advantage. Arsenal were pressing for a third as Taylor Hinds came forward she lobbed a ball to the back post where Holmberg met it on the volley but her shot was blocked. As both sides prepared for a corner kick the referee held up play, a VAR check for a possible penalty progressed before penalising Zineb Redouni for a clear handball. Mariona Caldentey stood up to the spot and made no mistake.
Arsenal threatened to add a fourth when a ball into box was met by the head of Blackstenius. Hanane Aït El Haj made a crucial block on the line to prevent the arrears from growing. AS FAR showed flashes of the side that became continental champions with Sanaâ Mssoudy central to their attacking progress. However they were largely limited to pot shots from distance.
At the other end Arsenal were purring in attack. When Olivia Smith cut inside and her shot was blocked by Bezina, the AS FAR faithful would have been forgiven for being convinced the ball, which ricocheted high into the sky was heading into their net on its return to earth. Luckily for the Moroccan champions, the ball bounced off the post and out. Relentless, Arsenal pressed forward again and Blackstenius was played through on goal showing excellent pace. Khadija Er-Rmichi stayed in her goal but the Swede flashed her shot wide.
Arsenal did make it 4-0 before half time through Canadian Olivia Smith. Running at the AS FAR backline, Blackstenius made a decoy run that Smith used to create space. Approaching the edge of the box Smith took aim striking the ball low and hard past Er-Rmichi.
By the second half Arsenal had settled into a rhythm of control in the match. Midway though the second half Arsenal took advantage to make it 5-0 and this time it was Alessia Russo, who came off the bench and onto the scoresheet. After good work from Frida Maanum, she fired a shot on goal that was well saved by Er-Rmichi but the Moroccan could not divert the ball away from danger. Russo collected the scraps taking her time before firing past the AS FAR keeper.
The Lionesses striker was not done there. With just under 20 minutes to play Caitlin Foord played a ball in behind the AS FAR defence. Russo raced in with expert close control she smashed the ball between the legs of the helpless Er-Rmichi to make it 6-0.
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Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: Anneke Borbe – 6.5/10 – Had precious little to do throughout the match, did not put a foot wrong however.
RB: Smilla Holmberg – 7.5/10 – As Beth Mead inverted, Holmberg flew forward in attack to devastating effect. Assisted Maanum’s goal expertly.
RCB: Lotte Wubben-Moy – 7/10 – She pressed forward in attack to good effect, often picking out positive forward passes. Had a couple of loose passes at the back.
LCB: Laia Codina – 7.5/10 – Her offensive aerial presence is a huge bonus for Arsenal when she is on the pitch, her assist for Blackstenius’ opener was just what her manager would have wanted.
LB: Taylor Hinds – 7/10 – Had a good showing, racing forward to support in wide areas high up the pitch.
CM: Victoria Pelova – 7/10 – Still trying to find her place in this Slegers side but this was a good stepping stone, provided the assist for Smith’s goal.
CM: Mariona Caldentey – 8/10 – Bossed proceedings from the midfield, winning the ball back and picking out exceptional passes. Took her penalty well, was rested at half time.
RW: Beth Mead – 7.5/10 – Another battling performance inverting into the midfield, she was rested at half time after the match was all but won.
LW: Olivia Smith – 7.5/10 – Scored an excellent goal to give Arsenal a four goal lead before half time, her excellent sharp running and unpredictable stance make it so difficult to predict her efforts from distance.
CAM: Frida Maanum – 8/10 – Expert finish from the attacking midfielder who found the bottom corner for Arsenal’s second. Her close control on the edge of the box at times was expert and inventive in attack.
ST: Stina Blackstenius – 8/10 – The Swede was an essential part of Arsenal’s successful early game plan, as the Gunners tried to use her pace in behind. They did so to great effect.
SUBS
Kim Little (46′ Mariona) – 6.5/10 – Played a couple of expert reverse passes finding Maanum and Foord in space in behind.
Caitlin Foord (46′ Mead) – 7/10 – Looked lively after coming on at half time, finding space in behind the AS FAR defence.
Katie McCabe (61′ Hinds) – 7/10 – Her delivery from set pieces was typically accurate, came on when the game was won.
Alessia Russo (61′ Blackstenius) – 8.5/10 – Took her goal with composure after having just come off the bench, her second was even better.
Chloe Kelly (77′ ) – 6.5/10 – Minutes in the legs just what is required for Kelly right now.
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The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Alessia Russo