Arsenal Women 3-0 Benfica Women: Alessia Russo scores Women's Champions League hat-trick as Gunners win back-to-back games
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
Russo and Arsenal are finding their form after a tough start to the season
Russo and Arsenal are finding their form after a tough start to the 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.
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Russo scored the hat-trick in front of England boss Sarina Wiegman - who would also have been impressed by Georgia Stanway.
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.
More to follow....