Arsenal have qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 1 final after beating Rangers 6-0 in their semi-final tie at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park in Boreham Wood this evening.
Caitlin Foord netted four goals while Alessia Russo and Kim Little were also on target as The Gunners cruised into the Round 1 final.
Arsenal went at Rangers from the off and they opened the scoring after just 16 minutes. Mariona Caldentey crossed the ball for Foord and she was able to head home from close range.
The Gunners went in search of a second goal with summer signing Caldentey looking very lively but they were unable to increase their advantage before the break.
Arsenal finally doubled their lead just before the hour mark. Little did all of the hard work to deliver a pass to Foord and the Australian international fired the ball into the Rangers net.
A minute later, it was 3-0. Russo took aim at goal and she was able to expertly send her shot beyond visiting keeper Victoria Esson.
The hosts added a fourth goal with 20 minutes to go. Foord hit a shot on the volley and the ball whistled into the back of the net, a stunning way to seal her hat-trick.
With five minutes to go, Arsenal were awarded a penalty when Katie McCabe went down in the box. Little went on to score from the spot to add to the visitors’ misery.
A comprehensive Arsenal victory was completed in second half injury time. Esson denied Rosa Kafaji but she couldn’t prevent Foord from scrambling home the rebound.
Arsenal will now face Norwegian club Rosenborg BK in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 1 final at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park on Saturday evening. The winners will advance to Round 2 where ties will be played out over two legs.
