Monaco is defeated by
Monaco is defeated by Benfica in a thrilling six-goal match.
A below-average Benfica secured their spot in the. Champions League last 16 by holding off Monaco’s valiant comeback in an exciting draw in Lisbon.
The Portuguese team led 1-0 in the first leg of the play-offs in. Monaco last week thanks to a fantastic goal from Vangelis Pavlidis. But the Ligue 1 team was better at the Estadio da Luz.
Before Krepin Diatta compelled Benfica custodian Anatoliy Trubin to make an incredible save, Monaco’s requests for an early penalty were turned down.
The hosts were given an opening goal in the 22nd minute despite their slow start.
Kerem Aktürkoglu scored on the slide after Monaco defender. Wilfried Singo tripped under pressure and sent the ball to the prolific Pavlidis, who shot across the face of goal.
To their credit, Monaco recovered and nearly equalized as. Breel Embolo’s header curled across the goal after bouncing against the post.
Takumi Minamino, a former forward for Liverpool.
Put a shot inside Trubin’s near post less than a minute later to give them the goal they deserved.
In first-half injury time, Monaco should have tied the score at 2-2. But Embolo spooned his effort over after Maghnes Akliouche put him through.
Eliesse ben Seghir forced Trubin into another excellent stop at the start of the second half. But the Ukrainian goalie was only able to watch as the. Moroccan curled a strike into the bottom corner minutes later.
Monaco, however, gave Benfica another opportunity to grab the lead, just as before. After captain Thilo Kehrer kicked the back of Fredrik Aursnes’ leg. Pavlidis scored his sixth goal of the season from the following penalty.
Substitute George Ilenikhena gave Monaco a 3-2 lead with nine minutes remaining in the game.
But Orkun Kokcu equalized three minutes later by flicking. Alvaro Fernandez’s brilliant cross past visiting goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki to guarantee an incredible 4-3 aggregate victory.
In the round of 16, Benfica will play either Barcelona or Liverpool.
