Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
More
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Benfica take command of Champions League play-off with 2-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv

Amos Murphy
Benfica's bench celebrates their opener from Gilberto
Benfica's bench celebrates their opener from GilbertoAFP
Goals from Gilberto and Goncalo Ramos helped Benfica take control of their Champions League play-off against Dynamo Kyiv with a convincing 2-0 win in Poland.

Having successfully navigated two previous qualifying rounds to reach the play-offs, Kyiv were looking to qualify for back-to-back UCL group stages for the first time since 2016/17.

However, Benfica, who were unbeaten against the Ukrainian outfit across both group stage games last season, had other ideas, with Gilberto’s thunderous strike after just nine minutes giving Roger Schmidt’s side an early lead. 

Although initially resolute in their response, Kyiv’s over-exposure at the back as they went in search of an equaliser would ultimately cost them, as a defensive mix-up allowed David Neres to pounce on a loose ball before slipping through Ramos for Benfica’s second of the evening.

A host of Premier League sides have been linked with the striker, and the 21-year-old’s composed first-time finish left Kyiv shot-stopper Heorhiy Bushchan little chance of making a save. 

With a second leg to come in Lisbon next week, Benfica’s task after the break was to control the game and escape Poland, where this game was being played due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with their two-goal advantage intact.

Kyiv’s pursuit of a way back into the tie didn’t relent, with Oleksandr Karavaev having an opportunity to snatch a goal back, but Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos easily smothered the substitute’s tame effort. 

In truth, Benfica were always able to keep their opponents at arm’s length, with the record Portuguese title winners now heavy favourites to progress. As the outsider, it was always going to be a tough task for Kyiv, not only because of the situation unfolding back home, but also because they haven’t played a domestic fixture for eight months. 

Flashscore Man of the Match: Goncalo Ramos (Benfica)

21+ | COMPETENT REGULATOR EEEP | RISK OF ADDICTION & LOSS OF PROPERTY | KETHEA HELPLINE: 210 9237777 | PLAY RESPONSIBLY & SAFELY |

France gouvernement

Les jeux d’argent et de hasard peuvent être dangereux : pertes d’argent, conflits familiaux, addiction…

Retrouvez nos conseils sur www.joueurs-info-service.fr (09-74-75-13-13, appel non surtaxé)

Do you want to withdraw your consent to display betting ads?
Yes, change settings