Benfica Survives Monaco Scare to Clinch Champions League Last 16 Spot in a Thrilling Showdown!
In a nail-biting Champions League clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, Benfica just about held off a roaring comeback from Monaco to book their place in the last 16, with a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory in Lisbon.
Despite coming into the game with a slim 1-0 advantage from the first leg—thanks to Vangelis Pavlidis’ stunner in Monaco—Benfica looked far from comfortable at the Estadio da Luz. The visitors came out firing, almost taking the lead early on when Krepin Diatta tested Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin with a fantastic strike.
But against the run of play, disaster struck for Monaco in the 22nd minute. Defender Wilfried Singo lost his footing at the worst possible moment, gifting the ball to Pavlidis. The in-form forward seized the opportunity, firing a precise pass to Kerem Aktürkoglu, who slid in to put Benfica ahead.
Monaco, however, refused to back down. They rattled the post through Breel Embolo before former Liverpool man Takumi Minamino equalized with a cheeky finish that caught Trubin off guard. The visitors should have leveled the tie before halftime, but Embolo squandered a golden chance.
The second half was a rollercoaster. Eliesse ben Seghir almost put Monaco ahead, but Trubin was there to deny him. Moments later, Maghnes Akliouche curled a beautiful shot into the bottom corner, giving Monaco a well-deserved lead on the night.
But just as the momentum seemed to swing Monaco’s way, disaster struck again. Captain Thilo Kehrer’s clumsy challenge on Fredrik Aursnes handed Pavlidis a chance from the spot, and he made no mistake, coolly converting his seventh goal of the campaign.
Monaco’s hopes were briefly revived when substitute George Ilenikhena scored late on, making it 3-2. Yet, Benfica had the last word. Just three minutes later, Orkun Kokcu met Alvaro Fernandez’s pinpoint cross with a flick that left Monaco’s goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki helpless, sealing an incredible 4-3 aggregate triumph.
With hearts still racing and the roar of the Estadio da Luz echoing, Benfica now looks ahead to a colossal last-16 showdown against either Barcelona or Liverpool. Who will they face next? And can they keep this rollercoaster ride going?
One thing’s for sure—this Champions League season is just getting started!
