The England striker scored all three goals in Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League victory at Meadow Park, becoming the competition’s highest-scoring English player and helping the Gunners climb to second place.
Alessia Russo scored a hat-trick as Arsenal Women defeated Benfica 3-0 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The England international scored in the 39th, 66th and 79th minutes at Meadow Park, helping Arsenal secure their second European victory of the season.
The performance also carried historic significance for the 27-year-old striker, who became the highest-scoring English player in Women’s Champions League history with 23 goals. Russo overtook former Chelsea forward Fran Kirby, whose record of 21 goals had stood as the benchmark for English players in the competition.
Arsenal’s victory followed a morale-boosting win over Tottenham in the North London derby and marked the team’s first consecutive victories of the season. Manager Renée Slegers praised Russo’s leadership, preparation and commitment after the forward delivered one of her most impressive European performances.
The result moved Arsenal into second place in the 18-team Champions League standings after three league-phase matches. With seven points still available from their remaining three fixtures, the defending European champions strengthened their position ahead of a demanding schedule.
Russo Breaks the Deadlock Before Halftime
Arsenal began the match with attacking intent, pushing Benfica into defensive positions and creating opportunities from the opening stages. However, the Portuguese side remained organized, and goalkeeper Lena Pauels produced several important saves to prevent an early breakthrough.
Georgia Stanway threatened from distance in the 26th minute, forcing Pauels to stretch across her goal and turn the ball away. Russo then tested the goalkeeper with a header from a Steph Catley corner, but Pauels again prevented Arsenal from scoring.
Benfica created an opportunity of its own when Frøya Dorsin intercepted a loose Arsenal pass near the half-hour mark. Dorsin attempted to take advantage of goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez’s advanced position, but her effort went over the crossbar.
Olivia Smith also came close to opening the scoring when she struck a powerful shot from inside the penalty area. Pauels responded with another impressive save, maintaining the goalless score despite Arsenal’s growing attacking pressure.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 39th minute following a well-worked move involving Caitlin Foord. The Australian forward delivered the ball into the penalty area, where Russo controlled it before directing a low right-footed shot across Pauels and into the far corner.
The goal gave Arsenal a deserved advantage after a first half in which the home team created numerous opportunities. It also brought Russo level with Kirby’s record of 21 Women’s Champions League goals by an English player.
Arsenal continued looking for another goal before the interval, but Benfica managed to prevent further damage. The teams entered halftime with the score at 1-0, leaving the visitors within reach despite Arsenal’s stronger attacking performance.
Second Goal Establishes New English Scoring Record
Arsenal returned for the second half determined to increase its advantage and avoid giving Benfica an opportunity to equalize. The hosts maintained pressure through their wide players while continuing to create openings around the penalty area.
Pauels remained busy and produced another important save in the 63rd minute when Russo found space near goal. The Benfica goalkeeper’s performance prevented the score from becoming more one-sided during a period of sustained Arsenal pressure.
Russo finally doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 66th minute when she connected with Catley’s corner. The striker directed a glancing header past Pauels, completing her second goal of the evening and establishing a new record for English players in the competition.
The header took Russo to 22 career Women’s Champions League goals, moving her ahead of Kirby and into outright possession of the English scoring record. It was an important personal milestone during a match in which she also served as Arsenal’s captain.
Benfica attempted to respond almost immediately, creating an opportunity through Caroline Møller and Andreia Norton. Norton struck a powerful shot that forced Rodríguez into a save, but Arsenal maintained its two-goal advantage.
The visitors continued competing and made several substitutions in an effort to change the match. However, Arsenal’s defensive organization limited Benfica’s opportunities and prevented the Portuguese team from developing sustained attacking pressure.
Penalty Completes Russo’s Hat-Trick
Arsenal’s third goal came after Foord was brought down inside the penalty area by Benfica defender Catarina Amado. The referee awarded a penalty, giving Russo an opportunity to complete her hat-trick and extend her newly established scoring record.
Russo stepped forward and converted the penalty in the 79th minute, putting Arsenal ahead 3-0. Her successful spot kick completed a memorable evening and gave her 23 career goals in the Women’s Champions League.
The hat-trick highlighted Russo’s versatility as a forward, with her three goals coming from open play, a header and a penalty. Her movement inside the penalty area, finishing ability and involvement in attacking combinations repeatedly troubled Benfica’s defense.
Arsenal continued creating opportunities after establishing its three-goal advantage, with substitutes adding fresh energy during the closing stages. Slegers brought on Leah Williamson, Emily Fox and Kim Little in the 71st minute as Arsenal looked to maintain control.
Lisa Baum and Stina Blackstenius also entered later in the match, giving Arsenal additional options as the game approached full time. The substitutions allowed Slegers to manage her squad while preserving the team’s attacking momentum.
Foord appeared to add a fourth goal during stoppage time, but the effort was ruled out because Russo was offside during the buildup. The decision left the final score at 3-0, with Russo responsible for all three of Arsenal’s goals.
Slegers Praises Russo’s Leadership and Preparation
Arsenal manager Renée Slegers praised Russo after the match, describing her as an outstanding player whose influence extends beyond scoring goals. Speaking to Disney+, Slegers emphasized the striker’s professionalism, preparation and commitment to helping teammates.
The manager described Russo as “world class” in her attacking play, defensive contribution and willingness to work for the team. Slegers also highlighted her leadership qualities and the example she sets through her approach to training and recovery.
Russo captained Arsenal for the second time in her career, making the hat-trick particularly memorable. Her performance came in front of England manager Sarina Wiegman, who was watching as the striker continued her impressive recent scoring form.
Slegers also expressed satisfaction with Arsenal’s overall performance after a difficult start to the campaign. The manager believed her players had shown greater discipline in pressing opponents and creating chances than they had during earlier matches.
The result followed Arsenal’s recent victory over Tottenham, which helped restore confidence after inconsistent domestic and European performances. Slegers had stressed the importance of building on that success rather than allowing it to become an isolated positive result.
Russo echoed that sentiment after the match, explaining that the victory over Tottenham needed to be followed by another strong performance. She said the team had focused on maintaining momentum and producing more opportunities in front of goal.
The striker also praised Pauels for keeping Benfica competitive through a series of saves. She acknowledged that Arsenal created enough chances to score more than three goals, demonstrating the improvement in the team’s attacking play.
Arsenal Strengthen Champions League Position
Arsenal entered the Benfica match seeking greater consistency after an uneven start to the 2026-27 season. The team had already experienced disappointment in Europe, making a strong performance particularly important for its ambitions in the expanded league phase.
The 3-0 victory gave Arsenal two wins from its opening three Champions League matches. It also improved the team’s goal difference, an important factor in determining positions when clubs finish level on points.
Under the competition format, the top four teams in the league phase advance directly to the quarterfinals. Teams finishing fifth through 12th enter knockout playoffs, while the remaining clubs are eliminated.
Arsenal’s position near the top of the standings is especially significant because its remaining European opponents include several established teams. The Gunners must still face Barcelona, Lyon and Inter Milan before the league phase is complete.
Their next Champions League match is scheduled for November 12 against Barcelona, the club Arsenal defeated in the 2025 final to win the European title. That meeting will provide another major test of whether Arsenal’s improved form can continue against elite opposition.
For Benfica, the defeat reflected the difficulties of competing against an Arsenal attack that created chances throughout the evening. Pauels delivered several strong saves, while the Portuguese team showed moments of attacking promise without finding a goal.
The result confirmed Arsenal’s second consecutive victory across competitions and gave Russo an individual record that strengthens her place in European football history. Her three goals against Benfica took her to 23 in the Women’s Champions League, establishing a new scoring mark for English players.
IMAGE: Alessia Russo applauds fans after Reading vs Manchester United in the WSL, January 2023.. Photo: Ryanasman1 / Wikimedia, taken 2023-01-22, CC BY-SA 4.0