Alessia Russo's hat trick powered Arsenal women to a 3-0 win over Benfica on Wednesday, pushing the Gunners up the UEFA Women's Champions League standings as the 2026/27 league phase rolls on.
Alessia Russo Breaks Fran Kirby's Record in Arsenal vs Benfica Match
The England striker opened the scoring before halftime with a sharp strike to the far post from a Caitlin Foord feed. That goal pulled her level with Fran Kirby's all-time mark of 21 Champions League goals by an English player. However, Russo wasn't finished yet.
After the break, she doubled Arsenal's lead with a looping header off a Steph Catley set piece in the 66th minute. Then, with just over 10 minutes left in regular time, she sealed her treble from 12 yards after Catarina Amado fouled Foord inside the box. Her three goals on the night pushed her career UWCL tally to 23 across all rounds, breaking Kirby's record outright.
The win, Arsenal's first back-to-back result this season after the weekend's North London Derby triumph over Spurs, gives the club seven points through three league-phase matches. Benfica, meanwhile, sits 11th in the UWCL standings on three points.
Manager Renée Slegers, who handed Russo captain duties for the match, praised the forward.
"She is everything," Slegers said. "She brings so much quality."
Arsenal's next Champions League test comes November 11th at Barcelona, against the club it defeated to lift the 2025 title.
