Arsenal have eased to a 4-0 victory over FC Okhetpes in their UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 1 semi-final tie in Moscow.
Mana Iwabuchi and Nikita Parris both netted on their Arsenal debuts while there were also goals for Kim Little and Beth Mead.
Arsenal were dominant from the off at the Sapsan Arena and they took the lead after just 11 minutes when Iwabuchi netted her first goal for the club from close range.
The Gunners were awarded a penalty kick seven minutes later when Kazakhstani full-back Aidana Kuztay fouled Vivianne Miedema in the box. Little stepped up to take the spot kick and she made no mistake from 12 yards.
Jonas Eidevall’s side had opportunities to extend their lead as the first half went on but Miedema, Parris, Simone Boye Sørensen and Frida Maanum were all guilty of some wayward finishing.
Arsenal should have been 3-0 up early in the second half but Little could only find the side-netting before substitute Caitlin Foord was denied by FC Okhetpes keeper Aitaj Sharifova when one-on-one. A third goal did eventually arrive moments later through Mead who tapped home a low cross from Parris.
Parris soon turned provider to goalscorer when she neatly placed a shot into the far corner of the FC Okhetpes before Anna Patten saw an effort pushed onto the post at the death.
Arsenal’s reward for their comprehensive victory is a Round 1 final tie against either PSV Eindhoven or Lokomotiv Moscow at the same venue on Saturday.
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