Russo's hat-trick breaks English Champions League record as Arsenal down Benfica 3-0

Alessia Russo became the all-time leading English scorer in Women’s Champions League history with a hat-trick that powered Arsenal to a 3-0 victory over Benfica at Meadow Park on Wednesday, lifting the pressure on head coach Renee Slegers after a difficult run of results.

Russo opened the scoring in the 39th minute, taking a neat first touch from Caitlin Foord’s pass and firing a low shot in off the far post to equal Fran Kirby’s previous English record of 21 Champions League goals. She then headed Arsenal 2-0 up midway through the second half before converting a penalty in the 79th minute — awarded after Catarina Amado fouled Foord — to take her tally in the competition to 23.

The result was a timely response from Arsenal, who had let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Paris FC in their previous Champions League outing in September. The Gunners also sit 10 points behind Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea domestically, making the clean sheet and commanding performance all the more significant for Slegers.

Slegers handed first Arsenal starts to Elisa De Almeida and Geraldine Reuteler, with the latter denied by Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels early on. Arsenal created a string of chances throughout the first half — Russo had a header tipped away and curled a first-time shot wide, while Olivia Smith’s effort from Ona Batlle’s cross was also well saved.

Benfica’s best opportunity before the break came from Froya Dorsin, whose 35-yard attempt after spotting Misa Rodriguez off her line cleared the crossbar. After the restart, Foord was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Amado, and Reuteler saw a close-range effort cleared off the line by Diana Gomes before Russo wrapped up the win from the spot.

Elsewhere in the Women’s Champions League, Chelsea maintained their strong European form with a 2-0 win over Roma at Plough Lane. Substitute Ellie Carpenter combined with Wieke Kaptein to break the deadlock in the 51st minute, and central defender Kadeisha Buchanan sealed the result in the 89th minute, giving Sonia Bompastor’s side a second win from three European matches.