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holders armory extended their Women’s Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Benfica in Lisbon.
After a low-key performance in the first half, Arsenal – having lost to Lyon in the opening match of the new-look league stage – advanced through a disappointing away goal beth mead Just before the hour.
The Gunners – who ended a four-match winless run with victory over Brighton in the Women’s Super League on Sunday – were assured of three points when alessia russo Scored from a well-worked free-kick by substitute Chloe Kelly.
Rennes Slagers’ team, which defeated Barcelona in last season’s final at the Estadio José Alvalade, had made a positive start.
Mead sent an early free-kick over from 25 yards, before Lotte Wubben-Moy headed the ball wide from a corner.
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 the 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 good reaction save.
Arsenal finally went ahead in the 57th minute.
Benfica were caught trying to play out from the back and Russo sent Mariona Caldenti through on the right side of the penalty area.
Caldante snapped the ball back to Mead at center. Benfica defender Beatriz Camirao went to make an interception, but then kicked her effort past Diana Gomes – and Meade fired the ball past goalkeeper Lina Pauls into the far corner.
Benfica tried to pick themselves up and score an equaliser.
Arsenal keeper Van Domselaar headed a long ball out of the area as Diana Silva headed wide for Reus to clear.
However, the Gunners sealed the win with a minute remaining when Kelly sent in a low free-kick from the left and Russo outran the defenders to put the ball in.
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