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Arsenal defeated Benfica 3-0 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Meadow Park, with Alessia Russo scoring a hat trick to become the highest-scoring English player in Women’s Champions League history. The result leaves Benfica in 11th place in the league phase with three points, while Arsenal moves into second place with seven points.
Alessia Russo Hat Trick Secures Victory at Meadow Park
Alessia Russo scored all three goals for the London side, recording her 23rd career goal in the competition. Russo opened the scoring in the 39th minute after a combination on the right flank where Foord provided the assist, as detailed by the official SL Benfica website.
The English forward added a second goal in the 66th minute via a header following a corner. She completed the hat trick in the 79th minute from a penalty kick. This marks Benfica’s second defeat in the league phase, following a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the previous round.
Did you know? Alessia Russo’s three goals in this match pushed her to a total of 23 goals, making her the all-time leading English scorer in the Women’s Champions League.
Lena Pauels Makes Saves as Benfica Misses Chances
Despite the scoreline, Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels recorded several significant saves. Her interventions against Olivia Smith early in the match and again in the 33rd minute were noted. The SL Benfica website confirmed Pauels also denied Russo in the 63rd minute following a shot by Ona Batlle. Pauels also made a notable save in the 56th minute.
Benfica’s best opportunity occurred around the 30-minute mark. Frøya Dorsin found herself isolated with the Arsenal goalkeeper out of position but failed to hit the target. Dorsin later stated that while she felt the team created opportunities in the first half, they defended too much during the second period. Confidence had been high for the Portuguese side following a 4-1 victory over Sporting in the league last weekend.
Ivan Baptista on Clinical Finishing and Fan Support
Benfica coach Ivan Baptista stated that the team lacked composure and effectiveness in the few chances they created. He stated that against teams of this caliber, the team must convert the limited opportunities they receive. The 35-year-old manager told UEFA that the team should have remained calm in certain moments but failed to do so.
Baptista also addressed the presence of Portuguese supporters in London. He described Benfica as a “special club” and thanked the fans for helping the team through difficult moments. Frøya Dorsin echoed this sentiment, describing the supporters as “fantastic.”
Regarding squad availability, Baptista told the SL Benfica website that some players did not travel due to physical conditions, necessitating adjustments during the match to maintain energy levels. In the 64th minute, Carolina Tristão replaced Anna Csiki and Flourish Sabastine took the place of Lúcia Alves.
League Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
Benfica’s current position still allows them a path to the play-offs for the quarter-finals. Their next Champions League fixture is against Austria Vienna, who currently sit 14th with one point.
The team returns to domestic competition on Tuesday, November 3, at 19:45, facing Torreense at Campo Manuel Marques for the 6th round of the Liga BPI, according to the official SL Benfica website.
Who Was the Standout Player of the Game?
Common Questions Regarding the Match:
Who was the standout player of the game?
Alessia Russo, who scored a hat trick (39′, 66′, 79′) and became the top English scorer in the competition’s history.
What is Benfica’s current status in the Champions League?
They are in 11th place with three points after three matchdays, having suffered defeats to both Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
When is Benfica’s next match?
They play Torreense in the Liga BPI on November 3 at 19:45.
“Não viemos aqui para defender ou para ficar atrás, mas para mostrar a nossa identidade a toda a Europa. As jogadoras foram fantásticas, mostraram um bom espírito e comprometimento.” — Ivan Baptista.
Baptista added that the team must be honest with themselves and accept the result, concluding, “Agora é seguir em frente.”
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