Arsenal Women vs Benfica Women. Women’s Champions League. Match report as Alessia Russo scores a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Benfica in the Women’s Champions League league phase; she is now the highest-ever English goalscorer in the competition, overtaking Fran Kirby; the Gunners have won back-to-back games for the first time this season Alessia Russo became the highest-ever English goalscorer in Women’s Champions League history with a hat-trick against Benfica as Arsenal won 3-0 in their league phase match. The Gunners No 9 matched Fran Kirby’s record (21) with her first-half opener – a low, diagonal effort that beat goalkeeper Lena Pauels.
Her next – a glancing header from Steph Catley’s corner – made her the outright record holder, before adding another from the penalty spot after Caitlin Foord was fouled by Catarina Amado, taking her to 23 goals. “She is everything,” Arsenal boss Renee Slegers told Disney+ after the game. “It’s hard to know where to start. She is such a humble, nice human being, cares for everything and everyone, does everything to the fullest.
“She trains, does meetings, prepares, recovers. Everything is 100 pre cent and she brings so much quality. There is so much to say about Alessia and it’s a privilege for me to work with her. “To have a player that’s world class in the way she plays, the way she attacks, the way she defends, does everything for the team and being this person, it’s amazing.
“The whole team is amazing, we have so many good personalities in the group. We care for each other, and Alessia leads the way and she was captaining the team today.” Russo scored the hat-trick in front of England boss Sarina Wiegman – who would also have been impressed by Georgia Stanway. She was also named as captain for the second time in her career. Perhaps the only blemish on Russo’s otherwise brilliant evening was being flagged offside in the build-up to Foord’s late fourth, which was ruled out.
The striker’s own form mirrors that of Arsenal, who have won back-to-back games for the first time this season, alleviating the pressure after another poor start. The result sends them second in the Champions League table – with their next European fixture a huge game at Barcelona on November 12, who they beat to win the title in 2025. Arsenal hat-trick goalscorer Alessia Russo speaking to Disney+: “It feels really nice. I love playing in the Champions League, especially with Arsenal with what we’re building.
“The win was really important after building some momentum against Spurs. It’s always loud here at Borehamwood, we love playing here and an important three points. “We said that the North London derby wouldn’t have meant anything if we didn’t back it up tonight, so it was really important. Now hopefully we can build going forward.
“You could see how many shots on target we had. We’ve been really building, focusing on people feeling confident on stepping up and shooting from outside the box. “Their ‘keeper made some great saves and on another night, it might have been even more so a great performance.” 28: CHANCE! Lena Pauels stops Russo’s header from smuggling over the line. 30: ALMOST!
Froya Dorsin looks to catch Misa Rodriguez off her line after collecting a loose ball, but it curls over. 33: BIG SAVE! Pauels makes a leaping save to keep out Smith’s sot. 29: GOAL! Russo’s low, diagonal effort puts Arsenal ahead. 66: GOAL! Russo glances home a header to become the record goalscorer in the Women’s Champions League. 77: PENALTY ARSENAL!
Amado is penalised for a foul on Foord in the box and Arsenal are awarded a penalty. 79: GOAL! Russo scores from the spot to complete her hat-trick. 90+2: NO GOAL! Foord scores a late fourth, but it is ruled out with the offside flag up against Russo. Arsenal boss Renee Slegers to Disney+: “It’s been tough for us, haven’t got the results and the performances until now.
“The north London derby was really good for us and we said we wanted to back it up. I’m really proud of the players because they did that today. We created a lot of chances, a lot of shots and Alessia’s hat-trick. “There was another way of creating today, our discipline in the press and getting the opportunities going forward.
That was a big one for us.” Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.
