Gunners bang on target to fire into Champions Cup final

Three Australians are in line to play for Arsenal when they take on Corinthians in the final of the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

Matildas players Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross were part of the Arsenal line-up that secured a 6-0 semi-final victory over Moroccan side AS FAR at Brentford's Gtech Stadium on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).

Stina Blackstenius opened the scoring in the eighth minute, and goals from Frida Maanum and Olivia Smith either side of a Mariona Caldentey penalty gave the Gunners a 4-0 lead by the break.

Substitute Alessia Russo added two more goals in the second half as England boss Sarina Wiegman watched on.

The new club competition concludes on Sunday at the Emirates, where the hosts will take on Brazilian side Corinthians for the $US2.3 million ($A3.28 million) first-place payout. The runners-up receive $US1 million ($A1.4 million).

Blackstenius's opener was confirmed after goal-line technology showed AS FAR skipper Aziza Rabbah's clearance was too late.

Maanum doubled Arsenal's advantage four minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball and pivoting before sending a strike to the bottom-right corner of Khadija Er-Rmichi's goal.

The Gunners were awarded a 21st-minute penalty after VAR confirmed a Zineb Redouani handball. Caldentey made no mistake with her spot-kick.

Anneke Borbe was largely left untroubled in the Gunners goal, called on to make a simple save from a low Siham Boukhami effort, before Canada international Smith blasted home with four minutes remaining in the first half.

It took six minutes for Russo, introduced at the hour, to find the back of the net with a low strike, before bagging her brace when she found the opposite corner 10 minutes later.

After the match Arsenal coach Renee Slegers said while the prize money was nice, the team was really after one thing.

"We want to win a trophy," Slegers said.

"That's what the players play for, so that will be on our minds on Sunday, that we're really close now. We're one game away from a trophy.

"What's important is that there's investments in so many ways in women's football so we can make more things possible. We can in all facets, development of young players, referees, coaching, everything.

"That's of course where money starts to play a role, so it's good that there's more and more money in the game."

Matildas trio Foord, Catley and Cooney-Cross are on track to become the first Australians to be crowned soccer world champions.

The only previous Australian to reach the final of a FIFA-recognised global men's club competition to date ws Harry Kewell.

He was in the Liverpool team that lost the World Club Championship final to Brazil's Sao Paulo in 2005.

Earlier, Gabi Zanotti struck a late winner to secure Corinthians a 1-0 victory over National Women's Soccer League outfit Gotham FC.

The six-team Champions Cup was created as an event for club teams. It builds on a growing number of regional club competitions, led by the success of the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Two continental champions were eliminated in earlier rounds: Auckland United from Oceania, and Wuhan Chegu Jiangda from Asia.

- with AP