Benfica Survives Monaco Scare to Advance in Champions League

Benfica narrowly avoided a shocking exit from the Champions League, holding on for a 3-3 draw against Monaco to progress to the Round of 16 on aggregate. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin at the center of attention for both his heroics and his mistakes.

In all fairness, Monaco played a superior game for the majority of the match, showing more creativity and drive. The statistics would undoubtedly back up this claim, yet it was the hosts who struck first. Pavlidis provided a perfect assist to Aktürkoglu, who slotted the ball into an empty net. But this did not rattle the visitors. Monaco responded immediately as Embolo, a constant threat to the Benfica defense, stormed into the box before passing the ball to Minamino, who finished with precision. It’s true that Trubin could have done better, but the goal stood.

After the break, expectations were high for Benfica to regroup, but Monaco came out even more aggressive. Ben Segir completely flipped the momentum in their favor, and the crowd fell silent. For about ten minutes, Benfica seemed completely lost, unsure of what to do with the ball. It was only Aursnes' daring run into the box that earned Benfica a penalty. Pavlidis didn't miss from the spot, restoring the hosts' lead. Monaco manager Adi Hütter, always with a plan up his sleeve, made a timely substitution, bringing on Ilenichenko, who immediately made an impact. The ball rolled under Trubin, and the goalkeeper's decision to try to stop the ball with his hand instead of his foot raised eyebrows. However, before the visitors could celebrate, Kekcü took advantage of a defensive lapse from Monaco and equalized just three minutes later.

This goal had a devastating effect on Monaco. Instead of launching a full-on attack to claim the lead once more, they seemed to lose their rhythm, and they were on the verge of conceding another penalty. Though the referee chose not to award it, the subsequent four-minute VAR review during added time seemed to break the visitors' resolve. Benfica held on, and it was the home side who ultimately sealed the win, sending them through to the next round.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Benfica - Monaco 3:3 (1:1)
Goals: Aktürkoglu, 22 (1:0); Minamino, 32 (1:1); Ben Seghir, 52 (1:2); Pavlidis E., 76 (penalty) (2:2); Ilenikhena, 81 (2:3); Kökçü, 84 (3:3)

Benfica: Trubin; Araújo T.; Otamendi; Silva A.; Fernandez Ál.; Barreiro L.; Kökçü; Pavlidis E. (Belotti, 87); Schjelderup (Dahl, 58); Aursnes; Aktürkoglu (Amdouni, 58)
Bench: Soares S.; Bajrami Adrian; Leandro Santos; Prioste; Rego Joao; Felix N.; Freitas T.; Prestianni; Cabral
Yellow Cards: Amdouni 71

Monaco: Majecki; Kehrer; Mawissa (Ilenikhena, 80); Singo; Akliouche; Ben Seghir; Caio Henrique (Ouattara К., 80); Camara L.; Diatta; Minamino (Michal, 87); Embolo (Biereth, 65)
Bench: Köhn; Lienard; Salisu; Bouabré; Diop E.; Coulibaly M.
Yellow Cards: Akliouche 62