Benfica started their final game in Group E with a clear assignment: to beat Dinamo Kiev and hope that Barcelona didn’t do the same when visiting Bayern Munich. Only in this way could the Portuguese be assured of Champions League football after the New Year.
The home team started the match furiously and that almost immediately resulted in a goal. After a sublime panna, Yaremchuk (ex-Ghent) first aimed at Buschan, after which Rafa Silva still incomprehensibly aimed the 1-0.
A miss that was punished almost immediately not much later. After a messy phase, Tsyhankov only managed to put the 0-1 in an empty goal, but the Ukrainian still managed to push the ball over the bar.
Benfica woke up with a start and suddenly struck twice in 7 minutes. After fifteen minutes, Yaremchuk first pushed the opening goal in from close range, after which Gilberto shot the double lead on the board after a clumsy loss at Kiev.
The Estadio da Luz was buzzing with joy, but it could have been even more beautiful for the Portuguese. A hopeless Barça conceded 2 more goals in Munich before half time via Müller and Sané. Benfica virtually second at half time.
–
With the score in Munich in mind, Benfica started the 2nd half a little more leisurely. On the hour, the home team was lucky when a rocket from Mikolenko went just wide of the goal of Vlachodimos.
Dinamo Kiev fought for what it was worth and went in search of the connecting goal. Tymchyk first nodded his header too much to the ground, after which the detached Buyalskyy let the ball roll through his legs.
Benfica played with his luck, but the home side never got into real trouble again. Especially because the young Musiala had already put Bayern on a 3-0 lead on the hour.
For example, Vertonghen and co are ultimately still among the last 16 at the championship ball. Barcelona lands in the Europa League drum for the first time in its history.
–
