Alessia Russo's hat-trick fired Arsenal Women to a commanding 3-0 victory over SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. This result on Wednesday 28 October continues a recent upturn, with the team now on a two-game winning run across all competitions.

Russo opened the scoring six minutes before half-time, finishing a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Lena Pauels. Her second was a glancing header from a Steph Catley corner on 66 minutes, a goal that made her the outright English record holder for goals in the Women's Champions League. She completed her treble from the penalty spot thirteen minutes later after Caitlin Foord was fouled by Catarina Amado. Russo's goals were her first, second, and third of the match, with assists from Caitlin Foord and Stephanie Catley.

The performance was one of total dominance. Arsenal controlled 63% of possession and registered 31 shots, with 15 on target. Their expected goals tally of 3.01 dwarfed Benfica's 0.31. The Portuguese side managed only five attempts and received a yellow card for Amado's foul in the 77th minute.

Leah Williamson entered the fray in the 71st minute, replacing Elisa De Almeida, while Lisa Baum came on for Géraldine Reuteler eight minutes later.

The result extends Arsenal's winning run to two games in all competitions, a timely boost as they sit sixth in the FA WSL standings with nine points from seven matches, having recorded two wins and three draws. Their recent form over the last five matches reads two wins, two draws and one loss. In the league, they have scored seven goals and conceded eight, giving them a minus one goal difference. They are now ten points behind leaders Chelsea but will look to build momentum this Sunday when they host Aston Villa in the league. That fixture at Emirates Stadium kicks off at 12:00 local time on Sunday 1 November against an Aston Villa side currently eighth in the table. Arsenal's last league outing was a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 24 October, where Russo also scored, and prior to that they drew 1-1 with Birmingham City on Saturday 17 October.

England manager Sarina Wiegman was an observer in the stands, no doubt impressed by Russo's clinical display. Arsenal's next European assignment is a trip to face Barcelona on November 12.

Head coach Renée Slegers hailed Alessia Russo's leadership after her historic hat-trick. "She leads the way as a role model, doing the right things consistently," Slegers said. The 3-0 victory over Benfica on October 28 lifted Arsenal to second in their Champions League group phase. Slegers noted the team had found a positive dynamic, backing up their derby win over Tottenham. Arsenal, sixth in the FA WSL, host Aston Villa on November 1.

Head coach Renée Slegers described Alessia Russo as "world-class" after her hat-trick. Slegers said, "She is everything. It's a privilege for me to work with her." The manager confirmed Russo captained the side in the 3-0 win. The victory made Russo the first Arsenal player to score a Champions League hat-trick since Frida Maanum in December 2022. Arsenal, sixth in the FA WSL, host Aston Villa on November 1.

Arsenal confirmed Alessia Russo's hat-trick took her to 23 Women's Champions League goals, making her the outright leading English scorer in the competition's history. The club's report detailed how Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels made multiple saves before Russo's 39th-minute opener. Arsenal, sixth in the FA WSL with nine points from seven games, host Aston Villa on November 1.