Champions League holders Arsenal claimed their first win of this season’s league phase as second-half goals from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo decided a close contest against Benfica in Lisbon.
The Gunners made a stumbling start to their title defence last week as Lyon came from behind to take all three points at Meadow Park, but arrived at the Estadio da Luz looking to build momentum after beating Brighton in the WSL on Sunday.
Their return to the city where they claimed their second European crown in May proved intensely frustrating, with few positives to take before Mead notched the opener on 57 minutes in Portugal’s capital.
Renee Slegers’ side failed to register a shot on target in the first half and had Daphne van Domselaar to thank for remaining level at the break, the Netherlands goalkeeper meeting Diana Gomes’ powerful header with a superb save.
The second half started in the same vein as the first, with Arsenal dominating possession while struggling to create, before a moment of fortune broke the hosts’ resolve.
While Mead was unable to get on the end of Mariona Caldentey’s square ball, her presence caused chaos in the home defence, with Portugal centre-back Gomes getting her feet mixed up and inadvertently nudging the ball towards her own goal before the England forward applied the final touch.
With Benfica still a threat up the other end Slegers brought on last year’s final hero Stina Blackstenius and England winger Chloe Kelly, in a bid to find the security of a second goal.
But it was Russo who made the victory safe on 89 minutes, the England striker pounced to slam home a finish into the bottom corner after a free-kick had dropped into the box.
Arsenal sit ninth in the league-phase table after the victory, while Benfica join Paris St-Germain, Roma and St Polten in losing both of their opening fixtures.
