Arsenal Women secured a vital 2-0 victory against Benfica in Lisbon, reigniting their Champions League campaign after an initial defeat to Lyon. Goals from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo secured the win in a hard-fought match.
Arsenal Bounce Back in Style
The Gunners, returning to the city where they lifted the Champions League trophy last May, faced a resilient Benfica side. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal struggled to break down the Portuguese team's defence in the first half.
Renee Slegers' team came out strong in the second half, with Beth Mead finally breaking the deadlock in the 57th minute. A moment of fortune saw Mead's presence cause chaos in the Benfica defence, with a deflection ultimately leading to the opening goal.
Russo Seals the Deal
With Benfica threatening to equalise, Alessia Russo secured the victory for Arsenal late in the game. In the 89th minute, Russo pounced on a loose ball after a free-kick, firing a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
- Arsenal secured their first win in the Champions League this season.
- Beth Mead opened the scoring in the second half.
- Alessia Russo added a late goal to secure the victory.
- Arsenal bounced back from an opening defeat to Lyon.
The win provides a significant boost to Arsenal's Champions League hopes and demonstrates their resilience after a challenging start to the campaign. The team will be looking to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.