In a stunning display of dominance, Benfica overwhelmed Atlético Madrid with a 4-0 victory in their UEFA Champions League group stage match. The game, held at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, saw the home team take control early and never look back. Goals from Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Ángel Di María, Alexander Bah, and Orkun Kökçü sealed the comprehensive win, leaving Atlético Madrid with much to ponder as they seek to recover from this heavy defeat.
Benfica’s Early Dominance
Benfica set the tone for the match with an early goal from Kerem Aktürkoğlu in the 13th minute. The Turkish winger capitalized on a well-placed assist from Fredrik Aursnes, slotting the ball past Atlético’s goalkeeper with ease. This early strike put the visitors on the back foot, forcing them to chase the game from the outset.
The first half continued with Benfica maintaining pressure and creating several scoring opportunities. Atlético struggled to find their rhythm, with their defense frequently breached by Benfica’s swift attacks. Just before halftime, Vangelis Pavlidis hit the post, nearly doubling the lead for the home side.
Despite Atlético’s efforts to regroup, their attempts were thwarted by Benfica’s solid defensive setup. The visitors’ best chance came from a mishit cross by Samuel Lino, which struck the crossbar, but luck was not on their side.
Di María’s Impact and Gallagher’s Misfortune
The second half saw Atlético Madrid make a triple substitution, including the introduction of Conor Gallagher. However, Gallagher’s night quickly turned sour when he conceded a penalty after a VAR review deemed his challenge on Pavlidis to be a foul. Ángel Di María, a former Real Madrid star, stepped up and converted the penalty with precision, doubling Benfica’s lead.
Gallagher’s woes continued as he was beaten to the ball by Alexander Bah from a corner, resulting in Benfica’s third goal. Bah’s header in the 75th minute effectively sealed the match, leaving Atlético with a mountain to climb.
Benfica’s relentless pressure paid off once again when Orkun Kökçü scored from the penalty spot after a sloppy foul by Reinildo Mandava. This fourth goal underscored Benfica’s superiority on the night and highlighted Atlético’s defensive frailties.
Atlético’s Struggles and Benfica’s Perfect Start
Atlético Madrid’s performance was marred by defensive errors and a lack of cohesion. The Spanish side, known for their resilience, appeared disjointed and unable to cope with Benfica’s attacking prowess. This defeat leaves them with significant work to do in the remaining group stage matches.
On the other hand, Benfica’s victory continues their perfect start to the Champions League campaign. Having narrowly beaten Red Star Belgrade in their opener, this emphatic win against Atlético Madrid boosts their confidence and positions them as strong contenders in the group.
The match also showcased the tactical acumen of Benfica’s manager, who orchestrated a well-balanced and aggressive game plan. The team’s ability to capitalize on set-pieces and penalties demonstrated their clinical finishing and composure under pressure.
