A firm first step to reach the quarterfinals

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Mature, aware and focused, Benfica's players opened the doors of the quarterfinals of the Champions League after beating Club Brugge by 0-2 this Wednesday, February 15, in the 1st leg of the last 16, played at the Jan Breydel Stadium, in Belgium. 

Dominating: that's how Benfica entered the pitch, taking the initiative in the first minutes, creating the first goal opportunity at 3', when Gonçalo Ramos, with his head, in the goal area, shot to Mignolet's save.

At 23', João Mário appeared in the penalty box in good position to finish, following a pass from Otamendi, but opted for a cross to the far post. The ball, however, ended up going to the right flank, where Bah crossed into the goal area. Rafa missed the deflection, at the near post.

In the following minute, it was Aursnes - elected by UEFA as the Man of the Match - who missed the target. Gonçalo Ramos recovered the ball in the midfield, a three against two situation for the Reds, and the Norwegian international shot wide.

In the 26th minute, Rafa made a cross from the right, Otamendi assisted António Silva at the far post, but his header went over the crossbar.

Benfica's best goal opportunity until then came in the 30th minute. In a set piece, Chiquinho, in the midfield area, on the left, passed the ball to João Mário, who, in the central corridor, found Rafa in the penalty box. The latter, with his right foot, hit the post.

Rafa, at 34', was denied by Mignolet, the keeper who saw Gonçalo Ramos head wide at 35' and 37'. About the 45th minute, Club Brugge opened the scoring, but Odoi was offside.

At 49' Gonçalo Ramos was fouled by Hendry in the penalty box. Italian referee Davide Massa awarded a penalty.

João Mário, at 51', opened the scoring from the penalty spot (0-1) and amassed his 5th goal in the current edition of the Champions League, the 17th in all competitions. 

At 88', a defensive mistake from Meijer left Neres with only Mignolet to beat, and the Brazilian international doubled the eagles' lead (0-2). 

Benfica gave an important step to secure the qualification for the quarterfinals of the Champions, facing Club Brugge at Estádio da Luz on March 7, in the 2nd leg.

The Cathedral will host the next match of the eagles on Monday, February 20, at 9:15 pm, against Boavista, on matchday 21 of the Liga Bwin.