Alessia Russo set a new Champions League goals record for an English player by scoring a hat-trick in Arsenal ’s 3-0 win against Benfica at Meadow Park.

Russo fired the Gunners into a half-time lead to equal Fran Kirby’s previous record of 21 and after heading them 2-0 up midway through the second period, she took her tally in the competition to 23 by converting a penalty.

Arsenal, 10 points behind Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea, let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Paris FC in their previous Champions League tie in September, having beaten HB Koge 1-0 in their opener.

Arsenal were comprehensive winners (Getty)

Benfica followed up their 2-1 opening matchday win at Juventus with a 3-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich.

Gunners boss Renee Slegers handed first Arsenal starts to Elisa De Almeida and Geraldine Reuteler, with the latter foiled by Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels as the forward looked to pounce on a rebound.

That was one of a string of chances Arsenal created in the first half.…