Russo hat-trick sinks Benfica as Becho treble helps Lyon thrash Inter in the Women's Champions League
Alessia Russo scored all three as Arsenal beat Benfica 3-0 and became the top English scorer in the competition's history. Substitute Vicki Becho scored three times as OL Lyonnes beat Inter 6-0 to go top.
By TuSport Desk · 29 Oct 2026, 00:00 WAT
Arsenal beat Benfica 3-0 at Meadow Park in Borehamwood on Wednesday 28 October, and Alessia Russo scored all three goals. The Women's Champions League league-phase game kicked off at 21:00 WAT.
Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels kept Arsenal out for most of the first half, with saves from Olivia Smith, Georgia Stanway and Caitlin Foord, Arsenal's match report says. Russo broke through on 39 minutes, turning in a Foord pass off the far post. It was her 21st goal in the competition and drew her level with Fran Kirby as the top English scorer in its history, BBC Sport reports.
Russo took the record outright on 66 minutes with a header from a Steph Catley corner. She completed her hat-trick from the penalty spot on 79 minutes after Catarina Amado fouled Foord, taking her to 23 goals in the competition. Foord had a late goal ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Arsenal had 31 shots to Benfica's five, ESPN's match data shows. BBC Sport says it was the first time Renée Slegers' side have won back-to-back games this season, and the win lifts them to second, while Benfica are 11th. Arsenal's next European game is away to Barcelona on 12 November, Sky Sports reports.
Nigeria forward Flourish Sabastine, who joined Benfica from Fenerbahçe in August, came on for Lúcia Alves on 64 minutes.
OL Lyonnes beat Inter 6-0 at the Groupama Stadium in Décines in a game that also kicked off at 21:00 WAT. Marie-Antoinette Katoto opened the scoring on 18 minutes from a Jule Brand pass, and scored again just before half-time after Salma Paralluelo miscued a volley, Foot Mercato reports.
Melchie Dumornay had a goal ruled out for offside on 48 minutes. Lily Yohannes made it 3-0 on 59 minutes with a lob from long range. Vicki Becho came on for Tabitha Chawinga two minutes later and scored on 69 minutes, 76 minutes and in stoppage time. Orange Sport says Becho had scored only once in 26 Champions League games before this match.
Nigeria international Toni Payne, who joined Inter from Everton in July, came on for Marie Detruyer on 53 minutes. Lyon have seven points and are top for now, while Inter have four points from three games. Holders Barcelona play at Køge on Thursday.
Sources: www.bbc.com · www.arsenal.com · www.skysports.com · www.theguardian.com · www.espn.com · www.espn.com · www.footmercato.net · sports.orange.fr · www.slbenfica.pt · www.inter.it
