Arsenal: Zinsberger; Fox (Wienroither 79′), Williamson, Codina, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross (Wälti 79′); Foord, Maanum (Kafaji 70′), Mariona (Kühl 87′); Russo (Blacktenius 70′)
Substitutes: Van Domselaar, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Lia, Godfrey, Agyemang
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Caitlin Foord scored four goals as Arsenal beat Rangers x-x, sending the Gunners through to the final of their first round Champions League qualifying tournament.
Jonas Eidevall named Frida Maanum as Arsenal’s starting #10 and Kyra Cooney-Cross in midfield, while there was a competitive debut for Mariona Caldentey, while Foord started on the right.
First Half
Arsenal started in control, with Mariona having an early chance after collecting a floated ball over the top before firing over with her left foot from close range.
After all the pressure, Arsenal took the lead on 16 minutes. Following a period of possession, Mariona received a pass from McCabe on the inside left channel. She played a cross all the way across the box, and Foord, from the deep goal line position headed past Esson in goal, who was wrong footed by Foord’s header. 1-0.
Brilliant combination play between Mariona and Maanum nearly set up another goal, with Esson eventually claiming the ball after Foord couldn’t quite convert Mariona’s low cross.
Arsenal nearly added a second, with Maanum turning McCabe’s cross towards goal, with Foord also getting a touch but it was cleared off the line. For all the possession, Arsenal couldn’t add a second goal before the end of the first half.
Second Half
Arsenal continued to add the pressure, and should’ve made it 2-0 on 50 minutes. Williamson, high on the right side, played a brilliant cross for an unmarked Frida Maanum, who attempted to volley but couldn’t make a clear connection.
Little then won the ball on the edge of the box, drove to goal and cut back onto her left but saw her shot deflected behind for a corner by McLoughlin.
Foord and Mariona were consistently switching wings, and from the inside left Foord doubled Arsenal’s lead on 59 minutes. Emily Fox played into Kim Little, who wriggeled out of pressure before slipping a ball between Russo and Foord, who then curled past the keeper. 2-0.
Russo made it 3-0 a minute later. Foord won the ball back, played quickly to Maanum, who then slipped in Russo, who too one touch to control and made no mistake with the finish. 3-0.
The same trio nearly created Arsenal’s fourth 7 minutes later. Foord won the ball back again, and Maanum played the ball over the top for Russo, whose looping header was easily claimed by Esson.
Foord finished her hat trick on 70 minutes. McCabe drove up the left, and then played a brilliant cross to the right. Foord, watching, caught the ball on the volley and finished past Esson on the near post. 4-0.
Arsenal then made two substitutes, with Stina Blackstenius replacing Russo, and Rosa Kafaji replacing Frida Maanum.
Arsenal made another double substitution on 79 minutes, with Lia Wälti replacing Cooney-Cross and Laura Wienroither replacing Emily Fox, as the Gunners began to look ahead to Saturday’s final.
Arsenal had a chance to make it 5-0 on 85 minutes, as there was a scramble following a corner, with Codina unable to make clear contact. But Rangers couldn’t clear their lines, McCabe collected the ball on the right side of the box, drove in to the box and was taken down. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Kim Little duly scored. 5-0.
Kathrine Kühl then replaced Mariona.
Foord scored her fourth goal on 90 minutes. Neat combination play set Wienroither into the penalty box. She showed quick feet to get away from one defender, and the ball came to Kafaji on the edge of the 6 yard box. Her shot was straight at Esson, who could only parry to Foord, who finished with her left foot. 6-0.
Kafaji, with the final action of the match, saw Esson off her line and tried an audacious chip from 40 yards that went just wide.
Well that was quick!
I’ve been thinking are freeda and Caitlin still up to it, and they played great.
I’m stupid, but I will think badly about 2 players per match, that way we will win them all😁
It’s Mariona. She is like a section of code which makes the whole programme work.
Dream “Final” between my two teams, Arsenal and Rosenborg. Can’t wait for Saturday.
I thought it was a good performance by every player but in particular I thought Mariona was excellent. Manu needs to find opposition to give her some practice!! Well done ladies, very pleased.
Excellent performance, they will grow from this
Could only watch the first half. How unlucky that the half I couldn’t watch , the girls decided to let rip!
Plenty of positives from the first half… not least the chemistry between Mariona and Maanum (something blogs mentioned yesterday). By the time they get on the same wavelength with Mariona, we will have a potent weapon against low blocks with the way she moves and thinks! Some great diagonals from Leah to her, too (isn’t our #6 just so supreme on the ball?)
I was equally impressed with Codina. Didn’t know she could be that aggressive and front-footed.
I think Codina has been excellent since the latter part of last season. When she subbed in for Leah in the Conti-Cup final at the half, she was outstanding. She’s a proven winner at the highest level and only 24.
Same
That’s fantastic. I didn’t watch enough AWFC games last year, compared to previous years.
I’m like you only saw the first half,will catch up later, agree there was plenty of positives, looking forward to seeing them against Rosenborg
Such quick play throughout, our CBs were excellent in recycling the balls forwards and drifting wide. Loved how all the players seemed up for it for and were direct in their play, especially Weinrother and Kuhl who’ve both had limited game for us recently (for very different reasons obviously). Really looking forward to the next game(s).
Love to hear it! Hope to catch the highlight reel. Onward!!
Fantastic performance from the whole side led by a magnificent Kim Little. Mariona also stood out but really everyone was excellent. Props to Caitlin Foord for being so clinical. 4 goals from what I think was 6 attempts? Ruthless display, quick, purposeful, one- and two-touch passing and aggressive movement. SIX goals! I don’t know what our xg was, but we seemed more clinical than we have been. More consistent, too. We played well and at the same intensity for the whole 90 minutes. When was the last time we did that against an inferior team? Rangers are a good side… Read more »
Excellent performance and credit were due, Caitlin splits opinion but that was arguably her best-ever game for us!
Yeah, it’s the consistency argument. I hope she can be more consistent this season, because she clearly has the ability
some absolute banger goals there! Love Kim Little. COYG
I only saw the second half, and the first ten minutes was Rangers’ best spell of the match. I was a little worried as our passing wasn’t that accurate. Then everything clicked! Concerns that two years of almost continual football had blunted Caitlin’s abilities were quickly dispelled. And Kim set up her second goal with her dribbling-out-of-a-telephone-box act!
Sometimes when you meet “lesser teams”, you don’t show your dominance, and it somehow fizzles out. Not today.
Also “Caitlin Foord scored four goals as Arsenal beat Rangers x-x,”
(.. I know we all have deadlines, but the game is over now, you can put the score in 😉 <3
I’m still nervous about getting by the next 2 teams. To get to the group stage
me too, I think I’ll be without nails until then.