Alessia Russo's Hat-Trick Powers Arsenal Past Benfica

Alessia Russo etched her name into the record books once again, becoming the top English scorer in Women’s Champions League history. Her stunning hat-trick propelled Arsenal to a commanding 3-0 triumph over Benfica, propelling the Gunners to the second spot in the league standings. Despite a rocky start to the season, Arsenal seemed to find a glimmer of hope after their gritty north London derby win. That victory felt like a potential turning point, giving Renée Slegers’ squad the momentum they desperately needed. The pressure was palpable heading into this match against the Portuguese champions. Arsenal’s European form had mirrored their domestic struggles, and after a narrow win over HB Køge and a disappointing draw against Paris FC, they found themselves in fifth place before kick-off, with tough opponents like Barcelona and OL Lyon looming ahead. Slegers opted to shake things up, making three changes to the lineup after the strong performance against Tottenham. Ona Batlle returned to her natural right-back role, while summer signings Élisa De Almeida and Géraldine Reuteler made their first starts for the club. In the pre-match build-up, Slegers emphasized Benfica’s formidable reputation, recalling their resilience from last year’s league phase where Arsenal had managed a narrow 2-0 victory. And it was clear that the visitors were not going to make it easy for the Gunners this time. The first half showcased Arsenal's dominance, but they struggled to break down Benfica's disciplined defense. Olivia Smith, playing as the central striker, attempted to exploit her pace, but the visitors held firm. Georgia Stanway even tested goalkeeper Lena Pauels with an early effort. Surprisingly, it was Benfica who nearly took the lead with a golden chance, but Frøya Dorsin’s lob went wide, leaving her frustrated. That moment seemed to ignite Arsenal, who then shifted gears and started to apply heavy pressure on the Benfica goal. Russo came close with a low shot, and Smith forced a great save from Pauels with a volley. Just before the break, Arsenal finally found their breakthrough. Russo finished off a well-executed team move with a superb strike, marking her seventh goal in just seven appearances for club and country, signaling the end of her early-season goal drought. In other matches, Chelsea continued their strong start in the Women’s Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Roma. Goals from Ellie Carpenter and Kadeisha Buchanan secured the win, showcasing their attacking prowess. Bayern Munich managed to earn a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid, fighting back from two goals down, while Lyon delivered a stunning 6-0 win over Internazionale, with Vicki Bècho netting a hat-trick. After the break, Arsenal came out firing, looking much more confident and fluid in their play. Smith’s presence in the central role grew increasingly impactful, and Foord began to shine down the left flank, almost finding the net before a crucial defensive intervention stopped her. Russo was everywhere, orchestrating the attack and helping to stretch the defense. She doubled Arsenal's lead with a well-placed header from a corner before completing her hat-trick by converting a penalty after Foord was fouled in the box.