Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal of the match to give Benfica a 1-0 win over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie on Wednesday. The Greek forward found the back of the net just three minutes into the second half, and Monaco’s hopes were further dashed when midfielder Moatasem Al-Musrati was sent off shortly after.
Pavlidis’ Second-Half Strike Gives Benfica Advantage
The match at the Stade Louis II in Monaco was largely uneventful in the first half, with few clear chances for either side. However, Benfica came alive in the second half, with Pavlidis’ 48th-minute goal proving to be the game’s only strike. The Greek international forward latched onto a perfectly timed pass behind the Monaco defense from teammate Julian Weigl. He calmly lifted the ball over Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki, sending the visitors into the lead.
Pavlidis has been in impressive form in this season’s Champions League, scoring his sixth goal in his last five outings, a run which includes a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-4 loss to Barcelona in the group stage. Benfica will now look to finish the job at home in the return leg next Tuesday, February 18.
Monaco’s Hopes Suffer Blow with Al-Musrati’s Red Card
Monaco’s task became even more difficult when midfielder Moatasem Al-Musrati was sent off in the 52nd minute. Al-Musrati, who had already been booked in the first half, protested a foul on teammate Breel Embolo by gesturing to the referee, asking for a yellow card. Instead, he was issued a second yellow and was sent off for an early shower. This left Monaco with 10 men for the remainder of the match and severely hampered their ability to stage a comeback.
The dismissal compounded Monaco’s struggles, as they now face an uphill battle in the second leg in Lisbon. After a strong start to their Champions League campaign, including a victory over Barcelona in September, Monaco have now suffered four defeats in their last five European outings.
What’s Next for Benfica and Monaco?
Benfica will head back to Lisbon with a crucial 1-0 lead, hoping to complete the job in front of their home supporters. The winners of this tie will face a difficult challenge in the last 16 against either Liverpool or Barcelona.
Monaco, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to overcome the deficit in the return leg. With their hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging in the balance, they will need a dramatic performance to turn the tie around.
Key Takeaways
- Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal of the match for Benfica, continuing his strong run in the Champions League.
- Monaco were reduced to 10 men after Moatasem Al-Musrati’s red card, making their comeback even harder.
- Benfica will hope to finish the job in Lisbon next week, while Monaco face an uphill battle to stay in the competition.