Benfica win at 10-man Monaco to close on last 16

Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 with a crucial 1-0 victory at 10-man AS Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs on Wednesday. The Portuguese side demonstrated their tactical discipline and efficiency, capitalizing on a key moment early in the second half while maintaining defensive solidity for the remainder of the match. Their win puts them in a strong position ahead of the return leg, where they will look to finish the job and secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Vangelis Pavlidis was the hero of the night, scoring the only goal just three minutes into the second half. His composed finish gave Benfica the breakthrough they needed in a game that had been tightly contested up until that point. Monaco’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a severe blow when Moatasem al-Musrati received a second booking and was sent off in the 52nd minute. The numerical disadvantage made it even harder for the hosts to mount a response, and Benfica took full advantage by controlling possession and slowing down the tempo of the match.

The match was a rematch of their earlier clash in the group stage, where Benfica had prevailed 3-2 at Louis II Stadium in a thrilling encounter. That victory had already given the Portuguese side confidence heading into this tie, and their unbeaten record against Monaco in European competitions remained intact after this latest triumph. With the return leg scheduled for next Tuesday, Benfica knows they must remain focused as a potential showdown against European heavyweights Barcelona or Liverpool looms for the winners.

Monaco forward Breel Embolo did not hide his disappointment after the match. "We are really disappointed, we had a good first half. We conceded that goal. I'll be honest, we got killed off a bit, from a potential yellow card (against them) to an exclusion against us," he said, reflecting on the turning points of the match. "We were punished for an action where Benfica's fullback could have been booked and we were the ones getting booked. It's not a good result, let's be honest. There's still the return leg and we're staying positive."

Both teams started the game with high intensity, and early on, Álvaro Carreras and Maghnes Akliouche looked lively for their respective sides, trying to break through each other’s defenses. However, as the first half progressed, the pace of the game settled, and while Monaco enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Benfica, meanwhile, remained well-organized and reached halftime unscathed, setting themselves up perfectly for their decisive second-half performance.

The second half began disastrously for Monaco. Just three minutes after the restart, Pavlidis showcased his finishing prowess by delicately chipping the ball over Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki, silencing the home crowd. The goal came at a crucial moment and gave Benfica a clear upper hand in the contest. Things went from bad to worse for Monaco moments later when Al-Musrati picked up his second yellow card in the 52nd minute, reducing his team to ten men. The red card drastically altered the game’s dynamics, forcing Monaco onto the back foot and allowing Benfica to dictate the tempo.

Despite the setback, Monaco tried to respond, but their numerical disadvantage proved too great. Majecki kept them in the game with a brilliant save just after the hour mark, denying Pavlidis a second goal. However, as time wore on, Monaco’s attacking threat diminished, and they failed to truly test Benfica’s goalkeeper in search of an equalizer. Benfica’s disciplined defense absorbed the pressure and ensured they left with a crucial away victory.

The result puts Monaco in a difficult position ahead of the second leg. They will need to produce an inspired performance in Lisbon to overturn the deficit and keep their Champions League dreams alive. Meanwhile, Benfica will be confident of progressing, knowing that a solid defensive display and clinical finishing will be enough to see them through to the next round.

As the teams prepare for the decisive return leg, all eyes will be on whether Monaco can stage a dramatic comeback or if Benfica will continue their European dominance over the principality side. The stakes are high, and with a potential blockbuster clash against Barcelona or Liverpool awaiting the winners, both sides will leave nothing to chance in their pursuit of Champions League glory.