Russo powers Arsenal to victory as Man City suffer Greenwood blow

Alessia Russo scored twice to power Arsenal to a 3-1 victory over Valerenga in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday.

Victory over Juventus last time out had already ensured the Gunners’ progression to the last eight.

But they gave themselves a chance of finishing ahead of Bayern Munich in Group C with a convincing away win in Oslo.

In-form Russo opened the scoring with a brilliant, curling strike in the 25th minute, having been set up by Frida Maanum, who turned scorer for Arsenal’s second before half-time.

Russo doubled her tally after the break, volleying in from Caitlin Foord’s cross, before Tilde Lindwall grabbed a consolation late on for the already-eliminated hosts.

“I think we played well throughout the game,” Arsenal’s interim boss Renee Slegers said. “I think we managed the game really well, the circumstances, the type of opposition; we didn’t allow them much.

“With some new players on the pitch, some new partnerships, I am very proud of the team. This was important for us to set ourselves up for the final game to be decisive. That’s why we are very happy about this.”

After winning four consecutive Champions League matches for the first time since the 2019-20 season, Arsenal sit one point behind Group C leaders Bayern ahead of hosting the German giants next week.

Bayern ran out 4-0 victors over Juventus, who managed just one shot on target and 0.3 expected goals.

Jovana Damnjanovic, Pernille Harder, Klara Buhl and substitute Alara Sehitler were on target for Bayern, who have now lost just one of their last 19 home matches in the competition (W15 D3), scoring 14 goals across their last three such encounters.

In Group D, Manchester City maintained their perfect record by beating St. Polten 2-0, though Gareth Taylor’s team lost key defender Alex Greenwood to a serious-looking knee injury.

Greenwood had to be taken off on a stretcher at Joie Stadium, where teenager Lily Murphy netted her first senior goal and Kerstin Casparij put the game beyond the visitors with her maiden strike for City.

“I’ve waited two-and-a-half years, better late than never,” said Casparij.

“We’ve been speaking about being in the box more and I’ve got forward a bit more.”

Holders Barcelona dispatched Hammerby 3-0, with Ewa Pajor helping herself to a brace before Aitana Bonmati rounded off a routine win.