Benfica won a big victory over Dynamo Kyiv (3-0) on Tuesday in Lisbon in the second leg of the Champions League playoff. Carried by excellent David Neres and aided by the weakness of his opponent, the Portuguese club qualified for the group stage of the prestigious European competition.
The end of a dynamo dream. As Ukraine continues its struggle against the Russian invasion, the Kyiv club were too weak to defeat Benfica on Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League qualifiers. With a team consisting almost entirely of local players, the Ukrainian club surrendered to the Lisbon team.
The Ukrainians were already defeated in the first leg (0-2), and this time fell hard at Luz Stadium. Former Shakhtar Donetsk, David Neres was one of the great architects of the great victory of the Eagles with a goal and assist (3-0). Without shivering and without any real surprise, Benfica qualifies for the swimming pool in Champions League.
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Otamendi launches Benfica
Not so for the Portuguese defence, Dinamo players struggled to contain Benfica’s attack. Determined not to leave hope for their opponents, the Lisbon players attacked from the start. After a quarter of an hour holding out, the Kyiv defense retreated and found itself trapped in its cages. Alex Grimaldo saw his free kick swing off the post. A few moments later, David Neres also tried his luck but saw Buchan make a hard save (0-0, 21).
Through pressure, it ended up rewarding Benfica. On a beautiful cross from David Neres, Nicolas Otamendi jumped higher than everyone else at the far post. This time Jorge Buchan closed his corner poorly and the people of Lisbon advanced in this barrage of return (1-0, 27).
Neres and dumplings from Situra killed suspense
Domination, the Portuguese team has not calmed down. The Portuguese strikers continued to press to keep Benfica away from the return of Dynamo Kyiv for good.
And in a completely missed back pass from Setura towards his goalkeeper, Lisbon scored the goal of the break. In search of a defensive error, Rafa Silva intercepted the ball and then did not miss the opportunity to double the lead by adjusting Buchan (2-0, 40).
Almost immediately, David Neres made the mark heavier. Already a crucial pass to Nicolas Otamendi in the opening match, and the Brazilian scored a superb goal this time, his first under Benfica.
On a fast counter, Gonzalo Ramos lost control that could have let him go on his own. But the Portuguese striker, whose name was circulated at Paris Saint-Germain during the transfer window, perfectly served David Neres on the right side of the Ukrainian roof. In full swing and without control, the Brazilian shot with a superb flat-footed shot into the net on the other side (3-0, 42).
Benfica deprives OM of the hat 3
Despite Benfica’s apparent control after the break, no more goals will be scored. But the main thing is there for the Portuguese. Without really feeling the danger, eagles qualified for hens Champions League.
Germany’s Roger Schmidt thus completes third hat (referred to OM by hat 4) in the draw scheduled for Thursday at 6pm (live on RMC Sport 1) at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.
Viktoria Plzen and Maccabi Haifa qualified
In one of the other two matches of the evening, Viktoria Plzen clinched her qualifiers thanks to her impressive victory over Azerbaijani Karabagh (2-1). After a draw in Azerbaijan’s first leg (0-0), the Czechs were initially frightened after Filip Ozubic opened the scoring before the break. But two goals from Jan Kobe and Clement in the second half allowed Viktoria Plzen to take down her opponent and join the C1 groups.
Maccabi Haifa snatched their ticket to the group stage at the boiling Maracana stadium in Belgrade thanks to the 2-2 draw they got in extra time against Red Star. If the Serbs took a two-goal lead thanks to Besic and Ivanic, and found themselves effectively qualified, Daniel Sundgren cut the difference before the end of the first half. While the two sides appeared to be heading into extra time after Israel’s 3-2 win in the first leg, Serbian striker Milan Pavkov converted a Maccabi free kick into his own net and eliminated Red Star and sent Maccabi Haifa into the Champions League.
