---
title: "Arsenal Women vs Benfica: Alessia Russo Hat-Trick Fires Arsenal Women to 3-0 Champions League Win Over Benfica"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2026/10/29/arsenal-women-benfica-champions-league-match-report/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lucie Turner"
section: "Arsenal Match Reports"
published: "2026-10-29T08:21:53Z"
modified: "2026-10-29T08:21:53Z"
---

# Arsenal Women vs Benfica: Alessia Russo Hat-Trick Fires Arsenal Women to 3-0 Champions League Win Over Benfica

Arsenal Women vs Benfica: Arsenal Women continued their unbeaten start to the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase with a convincing 3-0 victory over Benfica at Mangata Developments Stadium on Wednesday night.

Alessia Russo hit a hat trick to claim the spoils and become the top scorer in English Women’s Champions League history. The England international opened the scoring before the break and added two more after the interval.

Despite controlling much of the game Arsenal’s attacking play was stymied by the determined Benfica defence and the inspired Lena Pauels in goal. The German made some stunning saves before Russo finally found a way through.

## **Pauels Frustrates Arsenal Before Russo Breakthrough**

Arsenal came out firing after their win in the North London derby. Olivia Smith put Pauels under pressure after just 65 seconds.

She made another save soon after as the hosts took control of the game and created a number of great chances.

Geraldine Reuteler made her first start for Arsenal and nearly picked out Smith with a dangerous delivery into the penalty area. Russo also saw an effort blocked following a well-worked set piece.

Georgia Stanway came closest to breaking the deadlock during the opening half-hour. The midfielder escaped her marker before sending a powerful shot towards the bottom corner, but Pauels reacted well to keep the score level.

The Benfica goalkeeper continued her impressive performance by denying Caitlin Foord from the resulting corner.

Benfica gradually grew into the contest and threatened through Froya Dorsin, who wasted an opportunity by firing over the crossbar. The visitors created further pressure before Arsenal regained control.

Russo sent an effort narrowly wide before Smith forced another save from Pauels.

However, Arsenal finally broke through five minutes before half-time. Foord supplied a clever pass into Russo, who placed a precise finish against the far post and into the net.

## **Russo Makes Champions League History**

Arsenal kept their forward momentum going into the second half and nearly extended their lead.

Kyra Cooney-Cross found an excellent ball over the top for Foord but was thwarted by a vital challenge from Catarina Amado.

Foord continued to pose a threat and got on the end of a cross from Ona Batlle at the back post. She powered a header across the goal, but Benfica cleared it in time to stop Russo getting on the end of it.

Smith then tested Pauels again with a deflected effort, but the goalkeeper could not prevent Arsenal from scoring their second.

Russo rose to meet Steph Catley’s corner and headed home to extend the hosts’ lead. The goal was her 22nd in the competition, making her the leading English goalscorer in UEFA Women’s Champions League history.

Benfica responded with a dangerous effort from Andreia Norton, forcing Misa Rodriguez into a good save at her near post.

Arsenal quickly threatened on the counter-attack, with Reuteler rounding Pauels before Diana Gomes cleared her effort off the line.

## **Russo Completes Clinical Hat-Trick**

Pauels kept the game alive for Benfica but made a fantastic save to keep out Smith’s powerful strike in the 15th minute.

But Arsenal finally won the game after Amado brought down Foord inside the penalty box.

Russo stepped up and confidently converted from 12 yards to complete her hat-trick and take her Champions League tally to 23 goals.

Foord thought she had added a fourth during stoppage time, but the officials ruled out her effort for offside.

The result means Arsenal remain undefeated in the league phase of the tournament and also highlights the importance of Russo to the club’s European campaign.

They return to Women’s Super League action on Sunday, November 1, when they play Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium before facing Liverpool. On November 12 they head to Spain to face defending European champions Barcelona.