Alessia Russo scores hat-trick to lead Arsenal to Champions League victory

Alessia Russo scored a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory for Arsenal against Benfica in the Women’s Champions League league phase. The win, achieved at Meadow Park, moves Arsenal to second place in their group.

Russo’s three goals, which included a strike before half-time, a header from a corner, and a converted penalty, make her the highest-scoring English player in the history of the Women’s Champions League. Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers praised Russo as a leader and a “role model” for the squad.

In domestic competition, Russo also scored a late 85th-minute equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in the Barclays Women's Super League. Despite Arsenal making 28 attempts on goal, they were held to a draw by a resilient Villa defense and goalkeeper Akane Okuma.