Rabat — Arsenal booked their place in the final of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup with a commanding 6–0 victory over AS FAR at Brentford Stadium, overwhelming the CAF Women’s Champions League holders with four first-half goals.
The European champions set the tone early. Stina Blackstenius opened the scoring in the 8th minute, before Frida Maanum doubled the lead just four minutes later. Arsenal’s dominance was rewarded again in the 21st minute, when Mariona Caldentey converted from the penalty spot, and the tie was effectively settled before the break as Beth Mead Smith added a fourth in the 41st minute.
AS FAR, appearing in the semi-finals as African champions and making history as the first African women’s club to face European opposition in a competitive fixture, struggled to contain Arsenal’s pace and movement, particularly in midfield and wide areas.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Substitute Alessia Russo struck twice in quick succession, scoring in the 66thand 76th minutes to complete a dominant display and underline Arsenal’s attacking depth.
With the win, Arsenal advance to the final, where they will face Corinthians, who defeated Gotham FC 1-0 earlier in the first semi-final at the same venue. The final will decide the first-ever champion of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Despite the heavy defeat, AS FAR’s run to the semi-finals remains a historic moment for African club football, following their CAF Women’s Champions League triumph and extra-time win over Wuhan Chegu Jiangda WFC in the quarter-finals.
