Final Up to date: February 16, 2023, 07:40 IST
UEFA Champions League: Benfica beat Membership Brugge (AP)
Benfica closed in on a spot within the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Champions League after easing to a 2-0 victory over Membership Brugge
Joao Mario’s second-half penalty and a late objective from David Neres gave Benfica a 2-0 win over Membership Brugge within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Belgium on Wednesday, leaving the Portuguese membership with a significant benefit for subsequent month’s return.
Joao Mario’s 51st-minute spot kick got here after Benfica had spurned a number of excellent alternatives as they dominated the away encounter and ensured they’ve a result in defend at residence within the return in Lisbon on March 7.
The penalty was awarded after Brugge’s Scottish defender Jack Hendry had introduced down Goncalo Ramos in a careless problem.
Neres took benefit of a defensive slip to tuck away the second objective within the 88th minute.
Brugge defender Bjorn Meijer didn’t clear and substitute Neres stole in to take possession and rating. He had an additional effort within the internet in stoppage time disallowed for offside.
Joao Mario was amongst a number of Benfica attackers who missed good probabilities within the first half because the two-time European Cup winners overcame an excellent early spell from Membership Brugge to arrange a collection of alternatives.
Ramos and Antonio Silva squandered the most effective alternatives as they put their headed efforts excessive.
With the group in full assist, Brugge produced a vivid begin to the sport with each Tajon Buchanan and Noa Lang having efforts blocked within the opening 20 minutes on the Jan Breydel Stadium.
However, after that, the guests took command and had been in a position to simply lower by way of the house defence, although they proved poor with their ending.
Brugge had the ball in Benfica’s internet a minute earlier than halftime however Denis Odoi was offside as he acquired a back-post contact to Lang’s free kick.
The Belgians, below new English coach Scott Parker, had been hoping the Champions League would give them an opportunity to shake off a run of poor home type however now face an uphill battle to remain within the competitors.
They gained 4-0 at FC Porto in September once they emerged as shock qualifiers from the group part and can want an identical shock consequence to advance to the quarter-finals.
Benfica prolonged their best-ever unbeaten run within the Champions League to eight matches.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape City; Modifying by Clare Fallon)
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