Two late goals saw Benfica stun 10-man AS Monaco to win 3-2 at Stade Louis II for their first points in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) since matchday two, condemning the hosts to their first defeat in the competition this season.
After scoring five on their previous UCL home encounter, Monaco took only 13 minutes to get on the scoreboard tonight.
Eliesse Ben Seghir had already passed up one chance, failing to hit the target from close range, but when Vanderson’s low drive was saved by Anatoliy Trubin, Aleksandr Golovin collected the rebound and squared to Ben Seghir, who was on hand to apply the close-range finish.
The lead was unthreatened until a flurry of Benfica chances late in the first half, beginning with Les Rouge et Blanc’s hero almost becoming the villain when a dreadful Ben Seghir backpass went straight to Di Maria, but the veteran was denied by a superb save from Radossaw Majecki.
From the resulting corner, Nicolas Otamendi’s header went a fraction over the bar, but with Majecki stranded, the goalkeeper recovered well to save from Kerem Akturkoğlu two minutes later.
The half-time whistle seemed to come at the right time for Adi Hutter’s side, who almost went two in front within two minutes, only for Breel Embolo’s shot to cannon back off the upright.
However, their dominance was over when another poor backpass – this time a header from Caio Henrique – allowed Vangelis Pavlidis to steal in ahead of Majecki and score the equaliser into an empty net.
Two minutes later, Monaco thought they were back in front from an empty-net goal of their own, but Maghnes Akliouche was offside from Embolo’s through ball before rounding Anatoliy Trubin.
A frantic few minutes continued with Pavlidis being denied by Majecki before Alexander Bah’s volley became the latest strike to be ruled out for offside against Di Maria.
There was still time before the hour mark for Monaco to be reduced to 10 men; Wilfried Singo clattered into the back of Pavlidis and was shown a second yellow card by referee Rade Obrenovic.
However, having one player fewer galvanised the 2004 finalists, who took the lead again in the 68th minute when Mohammed Salisu drove to the byline and cut the ball back to Soungoutou Magassa, who steered it into the bottom corner.
The home side pushed for a third, but the gamble failed six minutes from time when they were caught on the break, and a Di Maria left-wing cross was met by Arthur Cabral, who guided it home for 2-2.
Just four minutes later, Di Maria repeated the trick from the opposite wing, and this time it was Zeki Amdouni who rose highest to turn the match on its head.
It is Benfica’s first win away to a Ligue 1 side in seven encounters, as Monaco go winless in four at home against Portuguese opposition.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Angel Di Maria (Benfica)
See all the match stats here.
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