Arsenal claimed a professional 2–0 win over Benfica in Lisbon, overcoming a scrappy first half with a composed second-half performance. A 57th-minute own goal by Beth Mead gave the Gunners the breakthrough, before Alessia Russo secured the points late on with a tidy finish from a Chloe Kelly free kick. Despite a late push from the hosts, Arsenal’s defensive discipline saw them through to three valuable points on the road. Read our full match report from Benfica vs. Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League here.
Match Highlights
- Beth Mead opened the scoring after a scramble in the box.
- Alessio Russo doubled the lead from a clever free kick into the fox from Chloe Kelly.
Struggling in the Final Third
Arsenal started brightly in Lisbon, asserting themselves early through a well-worked corner kick routine that signaled their attacking intent. The Gunners pressed high and controlled much of the early possession, forcing Benfica into mistakes, one of which nearly cost them, as a loose pass from Smith gifted the home side a corner.
Despite their strong start and several smart interceptions in midfield, Arsenal struggled to turn their dominance into clear-cut chances. The final ball often let them down, with Benfica sitting deep and looking to absorb pressure.
Benfica, though limited in possession, found some joy on the counter. One dangerous moment saw Diana Silva burst down the right flank after a quick transition.
Lack of Opportunities
Arsenal’s best opportunity came from a set piece. Lotte Wubben-Moy rose highest at the back post to meet a corner, but her header flashed just wide, inches away from the opening goal. Shortly after, Mead saw a goal-bound effort blocked expertly by Ucheibi as Arsenal continued to probe for a breakthrough.
Benfica responded with a chance of their own late in the half. A free kick into the box found a Benfica head, generating a powerful header that looked destined for the net, only for Van Domselaar to produce an outstanding diving save to preserve the clean sheet going into halftime.
A tight, tense first half ends goalless, with Arsenal enjoying the better of possession but Benfica showing enough threat on the break to keep things finely poised.
Breaking the Deadlock
Arsenal finally broke through in the 57th minute, with a bit of fortune involved. Caldentey attempted to pick out Mead in the box. A failed clearance gave Mead the opportunity to pounce on the loose ball, tapping it toward goal and breaking the deadlock.
Renée Slegers made attacking changes right after the goal, bringing on Blackstenius and Kelly for Cooney-Cross and Mead, and later introducing Foord for Smith. Benfica countered by bringing on Martín Prieto, who added some urgency to their attack.
While Arsenal didn’t dominate, they were effective in managing the game. Benfica struggled to create real chances, and the Gunners stayed organised defensively. Injuries to Catley and Fox forced more changes, with McCabe and Codina coming on in the closing stages.
The result was sealed in the 89th minute. Kelly delivered a clever low free kick around the wall, perfectly set up for Russo to finish from close range and double Arsenal’s lead. Despite eight minutes of stoppage time, Benfica couldn’t break through, and Arsenal left Lisbon with a well-earned 2–0 victory.
How to watch the Women’s Champions League?
All the matches are available on Disney+. If you’re considering to use a VPN service: We recommend NordVPN, it isn’t free, but it’s safe and cheaper than juggling multiple subscriptions that may still only cover part of the schedule.
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