The Belgian fairy tale ends before the gates of the quarter-finals: Benfica delighted the fans with a cannonade in the return

LISBON – Benfica Lisbon football players became the quarter-finalists of the Champions League. The Portuguese representative sealed the break into the top eight teams of the competition against FC Bruges, who beat FC Bruges 2:0 away and even more convincingly 5:1 at home.

Benfica brought a 2:0 triumph from Belgium and the revenge was also led by its players. Joao Mario opened the scoring already in the 2nd minute, but VAR revealed offside and the goal was disallowed. In the 20th minute, the home fans were already raising their hands to their heads, but Mechele prevented a goal on the goal line after a shot by Rafa Silva.

The people of Lisbon suffocated the opponent and he succumbed to the increasing pressure. In the 38th minute, Rafa Silva prevailed after a pass from Ramos and beat the goalkeeper Mignolet with the opposite fake. The dominance of the record-breaking Portuguese champion was underlined by the second goal shortly before Goncalo Ramos went to the dressing room after he broke free in the penalty area and gave the Brugg goalkeeper no chance to save with a sharp shot.

After the break, the clearly better home team played football. They added three more goals, the guests scored at least an honorable success in the end.

Benfica Lisbon – FC Bruges 5:1 (2:0)

Goals: 45.+2 and 57. Ramos, 38. Rafa Silva, 70. Joao Mario (from 11 m), 77. Neres – 87. Meijer. ŽK: Otamendi – Jaremčuk, Lang, Sylla, Meijer. Referee: Meler (Tur.)
/first match 2:0, Benfica Lisbon advanced/

Benfica: Vlachodimos – Bah (63. Gilberto), Antonio Silva (88. Lucas Verissimo), Otamendi (74. Morato), Grimaldo – Florentino, Chiquinho (63. Neres) – Aursnes, Joao Mario (74. Neves), Rafa Silva – Ramos

Bruggy: Mignolet – Clinton Mata (62. Odoi), Mechele, Sylla – Buchanan, Nielsen, Vanaken (74. Rits), Sowah (75. Nusa), Meijer – Lang (46. Onyedika), Jaremčuk (62. Jutgla)

• Author: © List
• Source: TASR