Women’s FA Cup final draws world record crowd as Chelsea beat Manchester United | UK News

A world record crowd witnessed Chelsea win the Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

A sold-out Wembley saw 77,390 fans cheer on the sides under the famous arch – making the attendance the highest for a domestic women’s club fixture.

The sheer number of supporters smashed the previous record of 60,739 when Barcelona Women beat Atletico Madrid Women in 2019 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

Chelsea’s Australian striker, Sam Kerr, put the Blues ahead in the second half after Manchester United had a goal ruled out for offside in the opening seconds of the game.

A general view of the fans in the stands making up a record-breaking attendance during the Vitality Women's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 14, 2023.

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United staged an onslaught in the final seconds of stoppage time, but Chelsea managed to survive the scramble and the game ended 1-0.

The London side won the cup for the third consecutive season, having triumphed over Manchester City in the 2022 final, beating them 3-2.

Chelsea's Sam Kerr celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Vitality Women's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 14, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Women Final. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire...RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
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Sam Kerr (right) scored the winner

FA director of women’s football Baroness Sue Campbell said: “To break the world record is a massive statement and a wonderful marker as to where the women’s game has come in this country.

“A lot of credit goes to all of the players and the clubs in the Barclays Women’s Super League, the Barclays Women’s Championship and below that, but also credit to everybody that’s worked at the FA to make sure this is a reality.

“I’ve said before that we’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got an incredibly long way to go and we know that.

“But it’s another marker in the sand that the game in this country is now alive and well, flourishing and growing.”

The attendance record for a women’s match did however fall short of the 91,648 fans who watched the Women’s Champions League semi-finals last year as Barcelona beat Wolfsburg at the Nou Camp.

The news comes at a time when grassroots girls football clubs are struggling to survive despite the successes in women’s football at the highest level.