Russo hat-trick sinks Benfica and sets English Champions League scoring record

Alessia Russo scored all three goals as Arsenal defeated Benfica 3-0 in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday, October 28. The England forward also moved ahead of Fran Kirby to become the competition's leading English scorer, according to VAVEL's match report, which recorded goals in the 39th, 66th and 79th minutes.

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Benfica had a chance to change the course of the evening before Arsenal went ahead. Zerozero's live coverage described Frøya Dorsin lifting an effort over goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez but also over the crossbar after half an hour. At the other end, Lena Pauels saved from Georgia Stanway and Olivia Smith as the hosts sought an opening.

Russo eventually supplied it with a finish from inside the penalty area into the bottom corner. VAVEL reported that the opener brought her level with Kirby, before her second goal established the outright record. Another Russo attempt from distance was pushed away by Pauels, and Arsenal reached the interval with only a one-goal advantage.

The second goal came from a corner, with Russo heading in after Pauels had denied Smith. Benfica still threatened: Andreia Norton tested Rodríguez with a shot from outside the area. Arsenal then came close again when Géraldine Reuteler went past the visiting goalkeeper, only for Diana Gomes to block and prevent the lead growing immediately, VAVEL reported.

The decisive third arrived from the penalty spot. Zerozero recorded Catarina Amado's foul on Caitlin Foord in the area before Russo converted to complete her hat-trick. That took Russo to four goals from three appearances in this season's competition. Smith had continued to trouble Benfica in the preceding minutes, drawing further saves from Pauels before the penalty was awarded.

Zerozero's match statistics underlined Arsenal's attacking advantage at Meadow Park: the home side had 63 percent possession, 29 shots to Benfica's five and 12 corners compared with three. Benfica managed two attempts on target, while Arsenal registered 13. The Guardian reported that the victory lifted Arsenal to second in the league-phase standings.