Alessia Russo reveled in her "special" hat trick against Benfica as she became the all-time leading English goalscorer in the Women's Champions League following Arsenal's comprehensive 3-0 win on Wednesday.
Russo opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a brilliant strike to equal Fran Kirby's record with 21 goals in the competition.
But the Arsenal skipper was not done yet, doubling the hosts' lead just after the hour to surpass Kirby's feat before converting a penalty to take her Champions League tally to 23 goals.
"It feels really nice," Russo told UEFA after the game. "I love playing in the Champions League and I love scoring goals. it was really good to get the win. To score a hat trick is really special.
"We knew [Benfica] were going to be tough. We were patient. It was a good night, lots of attacking football and really nice to get the win.
"We've had a tough time but on Saturday [win against Tottenham] and then tonight it was about carrying on that form, building more momentum. It's a long season, we've started not as we wanted to but it can be really exciting what this team has still got to offer."
Russo has scored nine goals in her last seven games for club and country, marking an impressive return to form after a goal drought at the start of the season.
The 27-year-old bagged her first hat trick in the Women's Champions League, becoming the fifth England player to get one in the tournament and the first since Kirby for Chelsea in Oct. 2018.
Arsenal secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season, while also keeping their first clean sheet in six games to end a frustrating run of results.
- Russo makes history with hat trick in Arsenal rout of Benfica
- Arsenal's Alessia Russo motivated by Harry Kane, Alexia Putellas Ballon d'Or wins
- Women's Champions League on Disney+: Schedule, format, more
This result leaves Renée Slegers' side with seven points from three games in the Women's Champions League league phase, with a tough visit to Barcelona their next challenge in Europe.
Slegers was delighted with Arsenal's performance and heaped praise on Russo's impact.
"To have a player that's world-class in the way she plays, the way she attacks, the way she defends does everything for the team and being this person, it's amazing," Slegers told Disney+. "The whole team is amazing, we have so many good personalities in the group. we care for each other, and Alessia leads the way and she was captaining the team today."