Holders Arsenal bounced back from their defeat to Lyon in their opening match with a 2-0 win over Benfica in the Women’s Champions League.
For long periods of the match, in Lisbon where they won the Champions League trophy last May, Arsenal struggled to break down a stubborn and well-drilled Benfica.
However, the Gunners – after ending a four-match winless run with victory over Brighton in the Women’s Super League on Sunday – persevered and it ultimately paid off after second-half goals from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo saw the reigning champions take the lead in this season’s competition.
Gunners are irrelevant in Europe
Renee Slegers’ side, who beat Barcelona in last season’s final at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, were off to a good start. Mead sent an early free-kick 25 yards out before Lotte Wubben-Moy headed towards the corner.
However, it was Benfica, who lost to Juventus in their Champions League opener, who nearly broke the deadlock three minutes before half-time. A corner was thrown into a crowded Arsenal penalty area and Diana Gomes sent a powerful header towards the bottom corner, but Daphne van Domselaar came down to her left to make a fine reaction save.
After a discreet first half, Arsenal – beaten by Lyon in the opening match of the new league phase – finally took the lead in the 57th minute.
Benfica was caught playing from the back and Russo sent Mariona Caldentey to the right side of the penalty area.
Caldentey brought the ball back to Mead in the middle. Benfica defender Beatriz Cameirao went to intercept, but then launched her clearance attempt at Diana Gomes – and Mead hooked the ball past goalkeeper Lena Pauels into the far corner.
Benfica tried to get up and find the equalizer. Arsenal goalkeeper Van Domselaar had rushed out of the box and cleared a long ball forward as Diana Silva aimed to clear.
The Gunners, however, made sure of victory with a minute to go when Kelly sent a low free-kick from deep from the left and Russo rushed past the defenders to slot the ball in.
Slegers praises Arsenal’s patience
Arsenal boss Renee Slégers said his side’s hard-fought victory was a “great Champions League night” as the title holders had to remain patient to kick off their European campaign in Lisbon.
“A great atmosphere, a great stadium, a great pitch. It was a great Champions League evening,” said Slegers, quoted on the Arsenal website.
“[In the first half] We didn’t really move the ball fast enough to create big chances with the possession we had.
“But I think we did well without possession and negated their threat. We had to stay patient and work on the details.”
Slegers added: “I’m so happy with the goal scored at the start of 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. From a set piece it was really good.
“Sometimes when those passes are given we want to use them, so it’s really well done by the coach and the players to recognize that.
“I’m really happy with us. When we don’t create big chances and lots of chances, we find a way to win the game today.”
“We want to be better than last year”
Arsenal scorer Beth Mead talk to Disney+:
“It was difficult. Benfica are a physical team that gets under your skin and we love playing football and we knew we shouldn’t get involved in these kinds of games today. It’s difficult, but we scored the three points, we scored the two goals, and that’s why we came here.
“Once you win it, everyone wants to beat you, and at the end of the day we have to improve our game again. We had some ups and downs in the Champions League last year, and we don’t want to play like that again, but we’re looking forward to the challenge, we want to take the challenge and we want to be even better than last year.
“Obviously we’re in a much better situation, we’re winning games, we’re putting the ball in the back of the net. It’s tough, but hopefully the girls can freshen up a bit, go away, enjoy with the national teams and come back with a bit more energy and hopefully we can improve 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 attackers. I think it can also be better. We are aware of that and we promise that we will try harder and be better.
“It’s difficult. Football is about momentum and sometimes it’s difficult to change that dynamic. I think every team is ready against us. Every team wants to beat us and we haven’t been at our best and the small margins haven’t been on our side. I think we have the quality and we have to be hungry for it. Today was a good start, it’s a tough game at Benfica.
“Football is also about emotion, and when things don’t go our way it’s hard to keep your cool, but with our experience we just have to keep trying, keep training. We are aware of that and we want to win, and that’s all I can say.”
