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Katie McCabe a late sub as Women's Champions League holders Arsenal overcome Benfica

Benfica's Catarina Amado slides in for a challenge on Arsenal's Katie McCabe
Benfica's Catarina Amado slides in for a challenge on Arsenal's Katie McCabe

Republic of Ireland international Katie McCabe was introduced as a late substitute as holders Arsenal got their Women's Champions League campaign up and running with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Benfica in Lisbon.

After a low-key first half, Arsenal - beaten by Lyon in their opening fixture of the new-look league phase - went ahead through a scrappy goal from Beth Mead just before the hour.

The Gunners - having ended a four-match winless run with victory over Brighton in the Women's Super League on Sunday - made sure of three points when Alessia Russo slotted in from a well-worked free-kick by substitute Chloe Kelly.

McCabe, on course to become an international centurion in UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Belgium later this month, replaced Emily Fox in the 85th minute at Estadio da Luz.

Manchester United overcame the first-half dismissal of defender Dominique Janssen to close out a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid and maintain their perfect start to the new Champions League campaign.

Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfo fired in a close-range volley to give the visitors a 24th-minute lead.

Manchester United goalscorer Fridolina Rolfo challenges Alexia Fernandez of Atletico de Madrid in the air
Manchester United goalscorer Fridolina Rolfo challenges Alexia Fernandez (who would be later sent off) of Atletico Madrid in the air

Netherlands centre-back Janssen was then shown a red card before the break following a VAR review into her sliding challenge on Gio Garbelini, who was taken off on a stretcher.

Atletico also finished the match with 10 players after defender Alexia Fernandez collected a second yellow card with 15 minutes left.

Elsewhere Lea Schuller struck a 95th-minute winner as Bayern Munich edged out Juventus 2-1 at FC Bayern Campus.

Juventus quickly cancelled out Pernille Harder's 11-th minute opener with a superb free-kick from Eva Schatzer and appeared to be leaving with a point before the game was settled by late drama.

Juventus player’s protested that the match-winner should not stand as it was cleared off the line, but despite VAR intervention, the goal stood.

First-half goals from Naomie Feller and Alba Redondo paved the way for Real Madrid's 2-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Parisians pulled one back through Rasheedat Ajibade in the 58th minute, but couldn’t prevent the Spanish club from making it two wins from two in the competition.

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