Benfica Women 0 – 2 Arsenal Women

Holders Arsenal bounced back from defeat to Lyon in their opening game with a 2-0 victory against Benfica in the Women’s Champions League.

For long periods of the game, back in Lisbon where they lifted the Champions League trophy last May, Arsenal struggled to break down a stubborn and well-drilled Benfica.

However, the Gunners – having ended a four-match winless run with victory over Brighton in the Women’s Super League on Sunday – persevered and it eventually paid off after second-half goals from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo saw the defending champions get off the mark in this season’s competition.

Gunners off the mark in Europe

Renee Slegers’ side, who beat Barcelona in last season’s final at Estadio Jose Alvalade, had made a positive start. Mead sent an early free-kick over from 25 yards before Lotte Wubben-Moy headed wide from a corner.

However, it was Benfica, who lost to Juventus in their opening Champions League match, almost broke the deadlock three minutes before half-time. A corner was swung into a crowded Arsenal penalty area and Diana Gomes sent a powerful header towards the bottom corner, but Daphne van Domselaar got down to her left to make a fine reaction save.

After a low-key first half, Arsenal – beaten by Lyon in their opening fixture of the new-look league phase – eventually went ahead in the 57th minute.

Benfica were caught trying to play out from the back and Russo sent Mariona Caldentey into the right side of the penalty area.

Caldentey pulled the ball back towards Mead in the centre. Benfica defender Beatriz Cameirao went to intercept, but then kicked her attempted clearance against Diana Gomes – and Mead hooked the ball past goalkeeper Lena Pauels into the far corner.

Benfica tried to lift themselves and find an equaliser. Arsenal ‘keeper Van Domselaar had rush out of the area and clear a long ball forward as Diana Silva aimed to race clear.

The Gunners, though, made sure of victory with a minute left when Kelly sent in a low free-kick from deep on the left and Russo darted ahead of the defenders to slot the ball in.

Slegers praises Arsenal’s patience

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers felt her side’s hard-fought win proved a “nice Champions League night” as the holders had to stay patient to get their European campaign up and running in Lisbon.

“A good atmosphere, great stadium, great pitch. It was a nice Champions League night,” Slegers said, quoted on the Arsenal website.

“[In the first half] we didn’t really move the ball quick enough to create big chances with the possession we had.

“But I think we did well out of possession and nullified their threat. We had to stay patient, work on the details.”

Slegers added: “I am so happy with the early goal in the second half, and then the energy of the game changers coming in, bringing new energy, bringing new qualities.

“Then the second goal was really nice for us, of course. Coming from a set-piece, that was really good.

“Sometimes when those passes are given, we want to use them, so really well done by the set-piece coach and players to recognise that.

“I am really happy with us. When we don’t create the big chances and loads of chances, that we find ways to win the game today.”

‘We want to be better than last year’

Arsenal goalscorer Beth Mead speaking to Disney+:

“It was tough. Benfica are a physical team who get under your skin and we like to play football and we knew we shouldn’t get involved in those types of games today. It’s hard, but we got the three points, we got the two goals, and that’s what we came here for.

“Once you win it, everyone wants to beat you, and ultimately, we’ve got to up our game again. We had an up and down Champions League season last year, and we don’t want to play out like that again, but we’re looking forward to the challenge, we want to step up to the challenge, and we want to be even better than we were last year.

“Obviously, we’re in a much better place, we’re winning games, we’re putting the ball in the back of the net. It’s hard, but hopefully the girls can get a bit of a refresh, go away, enjoy it with the national teams and come back with a little bit more energy and hopefully we can up our game a bit more. Fingers crossed.”

‘Every team wants to beat us’

Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentay:

“We need to be more consistent defensively and we have so much quality up front that we should score more goals. It’s not one or two players, it’s all of us. We create opportunities for our forwards. I think that can be better as well. We’re aware of that and we promise we will try harder and we will be better.

“It’s hard. Football is about momentum and sometimes it’s hard to change that dynamic. I think every team is ready against us. Every team wants to beat us and we have not been in our best and the small margins have not been in our side. I think we have the quality and have to be hungry for that. Today was a good start, it’s a hard game away in Benfica.

“Football is emotion as well, and when things are not going our way, it’s hard to keep composure, but with our experience, we just need to keep trying, keep training. We are aware of that, and we want to win, and that’s all I can say.”