Football Review | Benfica 0 - 2 Arsenal

A battling performance in Lisbon gives Arsenal a much-needed Champions League win

Arsenal secured their first win of the Women’s Champions League league phase as second-half goals from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo earned victory at Benfica.

Author | DJ

Stadium | Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica 

The reigning champions had made an unconvincing start to their title defence last week, surrendering a lead in defeat to Lyon at Meadow Park. But fresh from a weekend WSL win over Brighton, the Gunners travelled to the Estadio da Luz seeking to rediscover their European rhythm.

Returning to the city where they lifted their second European crown in May, Arsenal endured a frustrating first half with little to cheer before Mead broke the deadlock just before the hour mark.

Renee Slegers’ side failed to muster a shot on target in the opening period and were indebted to goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who produced a fine reflex save to keep out Diana Gomes’ powerful header.

READ MORE |WSL Review | Arsenal 1 - 0 Brighton & Hove Albion

The pattern continued after the restart as Arsenal dominated possession but lacked cutting edge, until a stroke of fortune turned the game in their favour. Mead’s run across goal unsettled the Benfica defence and, in the ensuing confusion, centre-back Gomes inadvertently diverted the ball towards her own net, allowing the England forward to bundle it over the line.

Arsenal eventually seal the win

Still searching for a cushion, Slegers turned to Stina Blackstenius and Chloe Kelly, hoping to add energy and precision in attack. The changes paid off late on when Russo settled the contest in the 89th minute, reacting sharply to a loose ball in the box and driving her finish into the bottom corner.

RUSSOOOOOO!!! 🔥

A lovely free-kick into the box from Chloe Kelly finds Alessia Russo who makes it TWO! 2️⃣

🦅 0-2 🔵 (89) pic.twitter.com/G48io2DpnF

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 16, 2025

The result lifts Arsenal to ninth in the league-phase standings, while Benfica remain winless alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and St Pölten after two rounds.

Many of these players will now head off to represent their countries on international duty before they reconvene for November’s trip to Leicester City.

Another win in that game would give you the sense that Arsenal have fully recovered from their poor start to the campaign.