AS FAR Rabat’s historic run at the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup came to a painful halt on English soil as the Moroccan champions were swept aside 6-0 by a ruthless Arsenal Women side at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, ending their hopes of reaching the 2026 final.
For AS FAR, the scoreline was harsh but ultimately reflected the gulf in experience and clinical edge against Europe’s reigning champions.
There were, however, encouraging early signs from the North African giants. AS FAR began with confidence and intensity, pressing high and testing Arsenal’s composure in the opening exchanges.
Their early ambition briefly unsettled the London side, but the resistance was broken in the eighth minute when a set-piece proved decisive.
Laia Codina’s header from a Mariona Caldentey corner appeared routine, yet a handling error allowed the ball to cross the line, with VAR confirming the goal and puncturing AS FAR’s early momentum.
From that point, the match tilted sharply in Arsenal’s favour. Four minutes later, the English side struck again, capitalising on slick combination play involving debutant Smilla Holmberg and Olivia Smith, with Frida Maanum applying the finish from close range.
AS FAR struggled to regain their defensive shape as Arsenal’s tempo increased, and sustained pressure soon led to a third goal when a handball inside the box gave Caldentey the chance to score from the penalty spot.
Any lingering hopes of a regroup before the interval were extinguished just before half-time. Smith capped an impressive first-half display with a composed strike to make it 4-0, leaving AS FAR facing a daunting uphill task after the break.
Despite efforts to remain organised and competitive, the Moroccan champions found it increasingly difficult to contain Arsenal’s movement and depth.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Arsenal maintaining control and rotating their squad without losing intensity. Substitute Alessia Russo added further gloss to the performance, scoring twice to complete the emphatic victory and underline the Gunners’ attacking depth.
For AS FAR, attention now turns to the third-place playoff against Gotham, an opportunity to end their campaign on a positive note.
Arsenal, meanwhile, advance to the final to face Corinthians, reaffirming their status as one of the dominant forces in the global women’s game.
