Arsenal's Women Suffer Crushing Defeat to Benfica in Champions League Opener
Arsenal Women crushed 4-1 by Benfica in Champions League

Arsenal Women's Champions League ambitions suffered a devastating blow in Lisbon as they were comprehensively outplayed by a dominant Benfica side, falling to a humiliating 4-1 defeat in their group stage opener.

Dream Start Turns Nightmare

The match began promisingly for the English contenders when Stina Blackstenius calmly converted after just seven minutes, capitalising on a defensive error to slot past Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels.

However, the Gunners' early advantage proved fleeting as the Portuguese champions mounted a formidable response that would ultimately dismantle Jonas Eidevall's game plan.

Benfica's Relentless Response

Marie-Yasmine Alidou initiated the comeback with a spectacular 25-yard strike that left Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger helpless, restoring parity before the half-hour mark.

The momentum shifted decisively in Benfica's favour just before halftime when Jessica Silva completed a devastating counter-attack, exposing Arsenal's defensive vulnerabilities to give the hosts a lead they would never relinquish.

Second Half Collapse

Any hopes of an Arsenal revival were extinguished shortly after the restart when Laci Ovando headed home from close range, capitalising on more questionable defending from the visitors.

The humiliation was complete in the 67th minute as substitute Marta Cintra unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner, putting the result beyond any doubt and compounding Arsenal's misery.

Tactical Concerns for Eidevall

This heavy defeat raises serious questions about Arsenal's European credentials and tactical approach. The midfield appeared overrun for large periods, while the defensive line struggled to contain Benfica's fluid attacking movements.

With only one point from their opening two Group A matches, Arsenal now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages, putting additional pressure on their upcoming Women's Super League fixtures.

The performance in Lisbon will undoubtedly prompt soul-searching at the club as they attempt to regroup ahead of their crucial return fixture against the same opponents at Emirates Stadium.