Alessia Russo makes history with hat-trick as Arsenal cruise to Benfica win
Alessia Russo made history by scoring a hat-trick as Arsenal secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Benfica in the Women’s Champions League, elevating the Gunners to second place in the league phase standings.
The England international’s treble not only secured a vital three points for Arsenal but also saw her surpass Fran Kirby’s record to become the highest-scoring English player in the history of the Women’s Champions League. The win provides much-needed momentum for Arsenal, who have endured a somewhat inconsistent start to their season.
Historic Hat-Trick Seals Dominant Arsenal Performance
Alessia Russo was the undisputed star of the show as Arsenal overcame Benfica with a commanding 3-0 victory in their Women’s Champions League league phase encounter. The striker’s clinical finishing saw her net a memorable hat-trick, a feat that not only secured a crucial win for her side but also propelled her into the record books.
With her first goal, Russo drew level with Fran Kirby’s previous record of 21 goals in the competition. Her second strike, a well-placed header from a corner, saw her claim the outright record, before she calmly converted a penalty to complete her hat-trick and take her tally to 23 goals. This landmark achievement underscores Russo’s growing influence and importance to both Arsenal and the Lionesses.
The victory was significant for Arsenal, who have been seeking to build momentum after a challenging opening to their campaign. Manager Renée Slegers acknowledged the importance of the win, stating, “It feels really nice. I love playing in the Champions League, especially with Arsenal with what we’re building.” She added, “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.”
Arsenal’s Season Finds Momentum
Arsenal’s season has, by their own high standards, yet to fully ignite. The opening months have been characterised by struggles in front of goal, unforced errors, and performances that have lacked consistent fluency. However, a gritty victory in their recent north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur offered a glimpse of the team’s potential and a possible springboard for improved form.
The pressure remained high heading into the Benfica fixture. Facing the Portuguese champions at home was viewed as another essential encounter, particularly as their European form had, until this point, mirrored their domestic inconsistencies. Prior to kick-off, Arsenal sat fifth in their group, having secured a last-gasp win against HB Køge and surrendered a two-goal lead in a disappointing draw against Paris FC. The looming challenges of Spanish giants Barcelona and French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais added further weight to the necessity of securing maximum points.
Manager Renée Slegers opted for three changes to freshen up the squad following the derby win. Taylor Hinds and Caitlin Foord retained their places after impressive performances against Tottenham. Ona Batlle returned to her customary right-back position, while summer acquisitions Élisa De Almeida and Géraldine Reuteler were handed their full debuts, signalling a blend of established talent and new energy within the starting XI.
Tactical Approach and First-Half Encounters
Slegers had previously highlighted Benfica’s strong tactical identity, having experienced their resilience firsthand during the previous season’s league phase. On that occasion, Arsenal emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, but the Portuguese side proved difficult to break down, demonstrating their defensive organisation and fighting spirit.
This resilience was evident in the first half against Arsenal. While the home side dominated possession and territory, they struggled to find a consistent way through a well-structured Benfica defence. Olivia Smith operated as the central striker, attempting to use her pace to stretch the opposition backline, but the visitors remained robust and disciplined.
Georgia Stanway had an early opportunity to put Arsenal ahead, but her powerful shot was met with a strong save from Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels. The Portuguese champions, however, created the clearest chance of the opening half-hour. Frøya Dorsin found herself with a golden opportunity to lob a stranded Misa Rodríguez in the Arsenal goal, but ultimately spurned the chance, much to her own frustration.
This near-miss seemed to jolt Arsenal into action. They increased the tempo of their play and began to exert sustained pressure on Benfica’s goal. Smith was instrumental in creating further chances, first setting up Russo for a shot that narrowly missed the target, and then forcing Pauels into a fine save with a well-executed volley. The mounting pressure eventually told just before the interval.
Russo’s Record-Breaking Moment and Second-Half Dominance
The breakthrough arrived moments before half-time, with Alessia Russo producing a moment of individual brilliance. Following a well-worked move down the left flank, Russo found herself in space and executed a sublime finish, beating Pauels to open the scoring. This goal marked her seventh in seven appearances for both club and country, a clear indication that any early-season goal-scoring concerns had been firmly put to rest.
The second half saw a transformation in Arsenal’s performance. A switch appeared to have been flicked, with the team exuding confidence and moving the ball with increasing fluidity across the Meadow Park turf. Smith continued to look comfortable in her central role, while Caitlin Foord came alive on the left wing, her progress only halted by a superb last-ditch defensive challenge.
Russo, acting as captain for the night, was at the heart of Arsenal’s attacking endeavours. She continued to press and stretch the Benfica defence, dictating the tempo of the game. Her second goal arrived as she rose highest to meet a corner, glancing a header past Pauels to extend Arsenal’s lead and make her the outright record holder for English goalscorers in the competition.
The third goal came from the penalty spot. Caitlin Foord was fouled by Benfica’s Catarina Amado inside the area, and Russo stepped up to confidently dispatch the resulting penalty, completing her memorable hat-trick and sealing a comprehensive victory for the Gunners. The striker’s performance was lauded by Arsenal manager Renée Slegers, who told Disney+ after the match, “She is everything. 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.”
Slegers continued to praise her star striker: “She trains, does meetings, prepares, recovers. Everything is 100 per 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.”
Implications for Arsenal and European Aspirations
The victory against Benfica has significant implications for Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League campaign. It propels them up to second place in the league phase table, improving their standing ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures. The Gunners have now secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season, a statistic that highlights their recent upturn in form and growing confidence.
The win also alleviates some of the pressure that had been building due to their inconsistent start. With tough tests against formidable opponents like Barcelona on the horizon, maintaining this level of performance will be crucial. Arsenal’s next European challenge is a significant away fixture against Barcelona on November 12, a team they famously defeated to win the title in 2025.
Alessia Russo’s personal milestone is a testament to her consistent goal-scoring prowess in Europe’s premier club competition. Her record-breaking performance, witnessed by England boss Sarina Wiegman, further solidifies her status as one of the leading forwards in the women’s game. The striker’s own form mirrors the team’s trajectory, suggesting that Arsenal are beginning to hit their stride at a critical juncture of the season.
The team’s collective effort was also evident. “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,” Slegers remarked. Russo herself expressed her delight, stating, “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.”
While Russo’s hat-trick was the headline, the overall performance showcased Arsenal’s growing attacking threat and defensive solidity. The team’s ability to control the game, create chances, and convert them effectively, as demonstrated against Benfica, will be vital as they navigate the remainder of their European campaign and domestic challenges.
The result sends Arsenal second in the Champions League table, a strong position heading into the latter stages of the league phase. Their next European fixture is a highly anticipated clash against Barcelona on November 12, a match that will undoubtedly test their recent resurgence and aspirations for further European success.
Read more on the match from The Guardian
See the match report on Sky Sports
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