- Benfica secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16 after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Monaco, advancing with a 4-3 aggregate victory
- The match at Estádio da Luz saw multiple lead changes, with Orkun Kökçü’s late equalizer ensuring Benfica’s progression
- The Portuguese club extended their unbeaten home record against French teams in European competitions to 19 matches
Key Takeaways:
Benfica reached the Champions League Round of 16 after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Monaco at Estádio da Luz, sealing a 4-3 aggregate victory in the playoff round. The Portuguese giants had previously defeated the Ligue 1 side 1-0 in the first leg and 3-2 in the group stage.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu opened the scoring for Benfica in the 22nd minute, but Takumi Minamino quickly restored parity for Monaco. Early in the second half, Eliesse Ben Seghir gave the visitors a 2-1 lead, increasing the pressure on the home side.
⚽⚽⚽#SLBASM • #UCL pic.twitter.com/06jBoHvK31
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) February 18, 2025
The closing 15 minutes brought even more drama. Thilo Kehrer fouled Fredrik Aursnes inside the penalty area, and Benfica were awarded a penalty. Vangelis Pavlidis calmly converted from the spot to make it 2-2. Just seconds after coming on, 18-year-old Monaco forward George Ilenikhena found the net, surprising goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin as the ball slipped past him. In the 84th minute, Álex Correras delivered a precise cross to Orkun Kökçü, whose delicate touch left Monaco goalkeeper Radosław Majecki with no chance, securing the crucial equalizer at 3-3.
Benfica’s unbeaten home run against French clubs in European competitions now stands at 19 matches. In the Round of 16, they will face either Liverpool or Barcelona.