Benfica 0-2 Arsenal: Mead and Russo fire Gunners to victory in Lisbon | OneFootball

In what was to be a group stage suspenseful tie, defending champions Arsenal travelled to Lisbon for a tie with Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.

Having played a fragile European campaign thus far after losing their opening match at home to Lyon, Arsenal were under pressure.

Benfica were aiming to leave their mark on the premier European competition by claiming their first of the group stage, but Arsenal ultimately won by 2-0 with second half strikes from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo.

As it happened

The first 45 minutes were cautious and largely uneventful by way of clear-cut opportunities. Arsenal enjoyed the large share of possession, looking for openings, but Benfica’s defence was tight and unflustered. The best opportunity of the half fell to Benfica. A corner in the Arsenal penalty area reached Diana Gomes, whose header forced a sharp reaction save from Daphne van Domselaar to keep the score even.

Arsenal’s attack was lacklustre, with interplay and crosses seldom becoming the needed key pass. Benfica’s physicality and organisation stifled the visitors’ rhythm.

The turning point finally came in the 57th minute. From a dangerous Arsenal break, Mariona Caldentey made her run into the right-hand corner of the box and delivered a ball across goal. In the ensuing scramble, a clearance attempt by Gomes was guided into her own net. Although originally credited as an own goal, the final touch was later credited to Mead.

Benfica responded in desperation, desperate to get back on terms. They pushed Arsenal’s goalkeeper into further saves and had some momentum built but failed to score. With the match running out into its final moments, the success was wrapped up in dramatic style by Arsenal. In the 89th minute, Chloe Kelly’s left-wing free kick was floated low into the box and Russo anticipated the trajectory of the ball, slipping between the defenders to bring Arsenal their second.

But aside from late corners and set-piece chances for Benfica, Arsenal were resolute. In the dying seconds of stoppage time, Van Domselaar made a bold save at Gomes’ feet from a corner. Arsenal claimed a hard-earned 2-0 away win when the final whistle sounded.

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