Benfica Soar Past Club Brugge into UCL Quarter Finals

Lisbon: Benfica made light work of Scott Parker’s Club Brugge side and put on a show on their way into the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

Already one-nil up on aggregate, Benfica sought to put the tie to bed in the first half and made their superiority felt, taking control of the game and attacking with intent.

Just under 10 minutes before the break, they got the first after good work by Goncalo Ramos who broke down the left before crossing to Rafa Silva. The latter took the ball in well, shuffled past the attentions of his man and pushed the ball into the far corner with the outside of his right foot.

Then, in first-half stoppage time, Ramos got a goal of his own. Joao Mario played a nice reverse pass into the box for the 21-year-old forward whose first touch took him past one and he evaded two more on his way inside before driving the ball low into the net.

Evidently not content with simply securing passage to the next round, As Aguias decided to put on a show for their fans at the Luz. A little over 10 minutes into the second period, Ramos got his second of the night to make it 5-0 on aggregate, turning home a low Alex Grimaldo cross.

In the 70th minute, Joao Mario made it 4-0 from the penalty spot. Seven minutes later, Joao Neves set up fellow substitute David Neres for the fifth, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

The travelling fans were treated to a consolation goal, however, and it was a contender for the best of the night. Tojan Buchanan weaved in from the right before playing it across to Bjorn Meijer whose first-time left-footed shot swerved into the far top corner.

Benfica march on and reach the UCL quarter-finals for the second consecutive year. After a performance like this, no one will be pleased to draw them out the proverbial hat on 17 March 2023.