Benfica v Arsenal LIVE: Women's Champions League line-ups, kick-off time & updates

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Benfica 0-0 Arsenal

Olivia Smith wins the ball near the halfway line, and tries to send it back to Gunners goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, but the passback is a poor one and goes for a corner. But, luckily, it doesn't prove a costly mistake with the Benfica set-piece coming to nothing.

'Opportunity for Arsenal to build momentum'

Benfica 0-0 Arsenal

Anita Asante

Former Arsenal defender on Disney+

This is an opportunity for Arsenal to jump on the momentum they're trying to create after their win over Brighton in the WSL.

They're going to have to be mindful of Benfica and their threat going forward, especially in transition.

KICK-OFF

Benfica 0-0 Arsenal

Benfica winger Carolina Tristao, at the age of 16, makes her first Champions League start after playing for the last 12 minutes of the 2-1 loss to Juventus in matchday one.

And the game is under way.

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Benfica v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

This game tonight is being held at Benfica's superb Estádio da Luz and it's just a shame there is not a bigger crowd in attendance for a visit of the European champions.

But those there are doing everything they can to generate a fantastic atmopshere and have just been treated to a superb light show to crank up the mood even further.

'Arsenal need to put points on the board'

Benfica v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

Jen Beattie

Former Arsenal defender on BBC Women's Football Weekly

This is what's amazing about football, the games come thick and fast at this point of the season. It's very much short-term memory, put the last one to bed and focus on the rest.

It's a big game for Arsenal, they need to put points on the board and this is a very good opportunity for them to do that.

'Good opportunity for Arsenal tonight'

Benfica v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

Helen Ward

Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

Arsenal started the game against Lyon last week pretty well but ended up with nothing. This new format of the Champions League is one for the clubs to get their heads around, joining the men with the big league format.

They're going to have to get some points on the board, and I think it's a really good opportunity away to Benfica tonight.

'Man Utd showed great togetherness'

FT: Atletico Madrid 0-1 Manchester United

Fara Williams

Former Arsenal midfielder on Disney+

We said before the game that they pride themselves on defending, and we didn't think they'd be down 10 players as early as they were in the game, and really defend collectively and everybody in it together.

They showed great togetherness and resilience in denying Atletico any opportunity to score tonight. Credit to Manchester United. Credit to Marc Skinner for the tactics he adopted in the second half, he tightened it up a little bit.

Elsewhere in Europe

There are two Champions League matches not featuring an English side today.

Bayern Munich, thrashed 7-1 at Barcelona, will be out to kickstart their European campaign against Juventus.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid will look to follow up an impressive 6-2 win over Roma with another three points when they head to Paris St-Germain, who lost 4-0 at Wolfsburg.

'Big night for Van Domselaar'

Benfica v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

Jen Beattie

Former Arsenal defender on BBC Women's Football Weekly

I think this is a big night for Daphne van Domselaar if I'm being honest. I think after her two mistakes against Lyon in Champions League football, I think that'll be one she'll be wanting to put behind her and start again and have a really big performance against Benfica.

'Arsenal suffering from post-Champions League win hangover'

Benfica v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

Helen Ward

Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

I mentioned Chelsea having a bit of a hangover from the summer. I think the Champions League win and then the Euros for those Arsenal players, it's very much after the Lord Mayor's show, how do you top it? How do you motivate yourselves again? And that's the job Renee Slegers has to do.

The players still have the quality. How do you get them motivated and ready and sharp? That's been a struggle for them, but the win against Brighton was a big one, even though it was just by a single goal.

'We expect a lot of intensity'

Benfica v Arsenal (20:00 BST)

Arsenal

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers wants her side to match Benfica’s intensity when the holders look to get the defence of their Women’s Champions League title on track in Portugal.

The Gunners slipped to a 2-1 defeat by Lyon at Meadow Park in their opening fixture of the new-look league phase, which followed a 3-2 loss at Manchester City in the Women’s Super League.

They then ended a four-match winless run with a 1-0 WSL victory over Brighton.

“Benfica have a psychological presence and believe in what they are doing, so we expect a lot of intensity in the game, which we want to match and always want to bring as well,” she said.

“We want to deal with it in a good way and create control in the game for ourselves.”

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