Sports
Foord Scores Four As Arsenal Thrash Rangers 6-0
Playing their first competitive match of the season at Meadow Park, Jonas Eidevall’s team showed no signs of rust against the SWPL leaders.
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Kim Little of Arsenal scores her team’s fifth goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2024/25 First Round Mini-Tournament match between Arsenal FC and Rangers FC at Meadow Park on September 04, 2024 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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After last season’s disappointing exit in the qualifying stages, Arsenal knew they had to be sharp from the start. Foord opened the scoring with a header from debutant Mariona Caldentey’s deep cross and added a second goal shortly after halftime.
Arsenal continued to control the match, with England striker Alessia Russo making it 3-0 by drilling a shot into the far corner. Foord then completed her hat-trick with a stunning volley.
Arsenal captain Kim Little converted a late penalty, and Foord capped off her impressive performance with a fourth goal in the final minute.
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Reflecting on the match, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said, “When you see us play today, I enjoyed that because you see a connected team that defends together and works really hard. It is an enjoyable team to watch, an even more enjoyable team to work with, and we started the competitive season in a good way.”
Arsenal will face Rosenborg on Saturday for a place in the second round of qualifying.
No scares for Arsenal this time around
Arsenal defender Leah Williamson admitted last season’s premature exit following defeat by Paris FC was a “hurtful” moment for the club and they vowed to make sure it didn’t happen again.
They still have two ties to navigate to confirm their place in the group stages but this was a far more convincing opening performance of the season.
Having planned a pre-season tour in the United States to get his players ready for this encounter, manager Eidevall would have been pleased with the ease in which they got the job done.
Rangers, who have scored 43 goals in five league matches this season and not conceded any, were brought back down to earth by Arsenal’s relentless passing game.
New signing Caldentey, who joined from Barcelona and is on the list of nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, was impressive as she linked up with captain Little in midfield and took on a free, roaming role.
Foord stepped up in the absence of injured England winger Beth Mead and Eidevall was able to rotate his starting XI, giving another debut to summer signing Rosa Kafaji.
“I enjoyed it. I had fun. I was extremely excited to get back out there in Arsenal colours,” said Foord.
“Having the type of players we have on the ball to put those crosses in like that, I just knew I had to get on the end of them. I’m happy to see a few go in!”
For Rangers, it was an evening to forget but they will learn plenty from an encounter with one of England’s elite, who have a squad more than capable of challenging for the European trophy.
The SWPL leaders have never reached the group stages of the Women’s Champions League and they were always heavy underdogs in London.
“People will look at the scoreline and think one thing. But if you were here – we were in a game. We just have to learn from moments. It can’t go from two, to three, to four, that quickly,” Rangers assistant coach Jay Bradford told BBC Sport.
“We’ll learn from it. It was a big moment for us – we weren’t in the Champions League last year. It’s been an experience for the players and one they will learn from.”
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