Image Credentials: Generated with AI DALL·E 3 · February 13, 2025, at 10:12 AM
By Staff Writer with Agencies
Monaco, February 13, 2025 – Benfica seized the upper hand in their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie with a narrow 1-0 victory over 10-man Monaco in the first leg on Wednesday. The match, held at Stade Louis II, saw Vangelis Pavlidis score the only goal of the game three minutes into the second half, giving the Portuguese side a crucial away win.
Pavlidis, who has been in excellent form throughout the competition, found the back of the net after a well-timed run behind Monaco’s defense. The Greek striker latched onto a perfectly placed pass, beating defender Mohammed Salisu, and coolly lifted the ball over Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki to give Benfica the lead.
The game, which started slowly with few clear chances in the first half, sparked into life in the second 45 minutes. Benfica’s goal was the catalyst, and things went from bad to worse for Monaco shortly after. Just minutes after the goal, Monaco’s Libyan midfielder Moatasem al-Musrati was shown a red card, reducing the hosts to 10 men. Al-Musrati, who had already been booked, was sent off in the 52nd minute after a heated exchange with the referee following a foul on Monaco’s Breel Embolo. His gesture for a yellow card in protest earned him a second booking and an early shower, further handicapping Monaco’s chances of a comeback.
The dismissal of al-Musrati left Monaco struggling to recover, and despite several efforts, they were unable to find an equalizer. The result handed Benfica a crucial advantage as they head back to Lisbon for the second leg next Tuesday, February 18.
⚽ O Benfica sai do Principado com um pé na próxima fase da Champions! Pavlidis fez o único golo do jogo e deu vantagem à equipa de Bruno Lage para a segunda mão. #benfica #monaco #brunolage #dimaria #pavlidis #championsleague pic.twitter.com/YwPzNW7o3I
— CNN Portugal (@cnnportugal) February 12, 2025
Benfica, twice winners of the European Cup in the 1960s, will look to finish the job in front of their home supporters. With a place in the Champions League Round of 16 on the line, the winners of this tie will face an even greater challenge, with either Liverpool or Barcelona waiting in the next round.
For Monaco, the defeat marked their fourth loss in their last five European outings, a troubling trend for a team that began their Champions League campaign with a win over Barcelona in September. The French side will now need to stage a dramatic recovery at home in the return leg if they are to avoid being eliminated from the competition.
Benfica, currently second in the Portuguese Primeira Liga behind rivals Sporting Lisbon, will be full of confidence as they look to secure their place in the next round of Europe’s premier club competition. If they hold their lead in the second leg, they will continue their impressive Champions League run this season, where Pavlidis has been in scintillating form with six goals in his last five appearances.