Benfica started their Champions League campaign with a bang, demolishing Atletico Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday night. The Portuguese side showcased a dominant performance, leaving Atletico with a heavy defeat and facing questions about their form.
The match was a complete one-sided affair, with Benfica controlling the game from the outset. An early defensive error by Atletico allowed Fredrik Aursnes to recover a loose ball and set up Kerem Akturkoglu for the opening goal in the 13th minute. Benfica continued to press forward, creating several chances and narrowly missing a goal when Vangelis Pavlidis struck the post.
A further defensive lapse by Atletico saw Angel Di Maria convert a penalty in the 38th minute, doubling Benfica’s lead. After the break, Benfica took full control of the match and continued to dominate possession. In the 75th minute, Alexander Bah headed home from a corner, extending Benfica’s lead to 3-0. The game was effectively over at this point, but Benfica wasn’t finished. In the 88th minute, substitute Zewki Amdouni was fouled by Reinildo Mandava, resulting in a penalty which Orkun Kokcu confidently converted to complete the rout. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak managed to make a couple of stunning saves late in the game, preventing an even worse humiliation for his side.
Following the match, Atletico manager Diego Simeone acknowledged the poor performance of his team, stating that they were “pitiful” and that there were “not many positives” to take from the match. Benfica will be looking to build on this impressive win as they continue their Champions League journey, while Atletico will be hoping to bounce back from this disappointing result.
