Alessia Russo scored every goal in Arsenal’s 3-0 Women’s Champions League win over Benfica at Meadow Park. A shot, a header and a late penalty brought Arsenal their second European victory of the season. Russo also passed Fran Kirby to become the leading English scorer in the competition’s history, reaching 23 goals.
Arsenal defeated Benfica 3-0 at Meadow Park stadium in the Women’s Champions League, with Alessia Russo scoring a hat-trick. The victory was Arsenal’s second in the competition this season. Russo opened the scoring before halftime, sending a precise shot diagonally across goal from just inside the penalty area. Her finish gave Arsenal the lead going into the interval.[1], [2]
Russo then met Steph Catley’s corner with a deft header to double the advantage. Her third goal came from the penalty spot late in the match. The three finishes combined a shot from open play, a header from a set piece and a penalty. Benfica remained without a goal as Arsenal completed the league-phase fixture with a three-goal winning margin.[1]
The hat-trick took Russo to 23 goals in the history of the Women’s Champions League and its predecessor, the Women’s Cup. UEFA said she had overtaken Fran Kirby to become the leading English scorer across those competitions. Russo was also named Player of the Match, adding an individual distinction to the victory she had secured with all of Arsenal’s goals.[1]
