ALESSIA RUSSO SCORES HAT-TRICK IN ARSENAL WIN OVER BENFICA

Alessia Russo scored all three goals in Arsenal’s 3-0 Women’s Champions League win over Benfica at Meadow Park, setting a competition scoring record for an English player. Russo gave Arsenal the lead in the 39th minute, controlling Caitlin Foord’s pass before shooting in off the far post. She headed in a second goal midway through the second half. Russo completed her hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 79th minute after Catarina Amado challenged Foord.

Russo’s opening goal equalled Fran Kirby’s previous English record of 21 Champions League goals, and her hat-trick took her total to 23. Benfica had a chance before the break when Frøya Dorsin spotted Arsenal goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez off her line, but her long-range effort cleared the crossbar. Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels saved efforts from Olivia Smith and Géraldine Reuteler, while Diana Gomes cleared another Reuteler attempt off the line. Arsenal boss Renée Slegers gave Élisa De Almeida and Reuteler their first Arsenal starts.

The win moved Arsenal to second in the Champions League league phase table. Arsenal had beaten HB Køge 1-0 in their opener before surrendering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Paris FC. Benfica entered the match after a 2-1 win at Juventus and a 3-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich. Arsenal also came into the match 10 points behind Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea.