Article body analysed

Alessia Russo signed for Arsenal from Manchester United in 2023 Alessia Russo produced two brilliant finishes as Arsenal comfortably beat Valerenga to win their fourth Champions League game on the bounce. Renee Slegers' side clinched progression to the quarter-finals last time out with a 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Emirates Stadium. But they maintained their good form and winning run against their Norwegian opponents. England international Russo opened the scoring in the 25th minute after cutting inside on her favoured right foot and curling beautifully into the far, bottom corner. Russo then netted her third Champions League goal of the season after volleying home a pinpoint cross from Caitlin Foord in the 58th minute. Either side of her double, the Gunners surged into a two-goal lead in Oslo after a fine cross from Australian Foord from the right landed at the feet of Frida Maanum and the Norwegian slotted home her fourth goal in Europe. Valerenga did find the back of the net in the 85th minute with just their third goal in Europe this term as Tilde Lindwall smashed home from close range. Stina Blackstenius came within inches of adding a fourth for the visitors in the final 10 minutes but her left-footed drive struck the outside of the post. The hosts did threaten to open scoring early on after Manuela Zinsberger's poor pass was well cut out by Olaug Tvedten, but the midfielder's powerful finish was straight at the relieved Arsenal goalkeeper. With Bayern Munich winning 4-0 against Juventus in the other Group C tie, the Gunners know three points against the German side will confirm their spot as group winners. After a slow start to the season, Russo is firing and looks a threat to any defence. Her double against Valerenga took her tally for the campaign to eight in all competitions, but seven of those have come in her last five matches. Playing on the left of a front three, Russo's selfless work-rate also helped Katie Mc Cabe when having to defend, with the duo then looking lively when linking up in attack. The 25-year-old's opening goal was exactly what boss Slegers would have wanted from a left-sided attacker, with a great first touch enabling the Lionesses striker to open her body and whip the ball into the far corner. Russo's second goal emphasised a poacher's instinct after she positioned herself perfectly in the box to finish Foord's cross with aplomb. With a trip to Liverpool next in the Women's Super League on Sunday, Russo has a chance to further add to her impressive recent tally - and keep third-placed Arsenal in title contention. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 12th December 2024 at 20: 48 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Nils Lexerød Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Manager: Renee Slegers Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Nils Lexerød Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Manager: Renee Slegers Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 UEFA Women's Champions League All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Vålerenga Women 1, Arsenal Women 3. Second Half ends, Vålerenga Women 1, Arsenal Women 3. Rosa Kafaji (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Sara Hørte (Vålerenga Women). Attempt missed. Linn Vickius (Vålerenga Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Offside, Vålerenga Women. Ronja Arnesen is caught offside. Corner, Vålerenga Women. Conceded by Lina Hurtig. Attempt blocked. Janni Thomsen (Vålerenga Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ronja Arnesen. Attempt missed. Tilde Lindwall (Vålerenga Women) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Goal! Vålerenga Women 1, Arsenal Women 3. Tilde Lindwall (Vålerenga Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Substitution, Arsenal Women. Freya Godfrey replaces Kyra Cooney-Cross. Substitution, Vålerenga Women. Mawa Sesay replaces Karina Sævik. Substitution, Vålerenga Women. Lina Klech replaces Emma Stølen Godø. Attempt missed. Lina Hurtig (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Rosa Kafaji. Attempt saved. Emma Stølen Godø (Vålerenga Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Karina Sævik. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) hits the left post with a left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left. Assisted by Frida Maanum. Laia Codina (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Karina Sævik (Vålerenga Women). Rosa Kafaji (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.