Benfica Make It To The Quarter-finals With 7-1 Win Over Club Brugge On Aggregate

Benfica secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League comfortably as they crushed Scott Parker’s Club Brugge 5-1 in the second leg of their last-16 tie to secure a 7-1 aggregate win. Goncalo Ramos scored twice and goals from Joao Mario, David Neres, and Rafa Silva helped Benfica cruise past Club Brugge.

Parker’s side has won just two of their last 12 matches in all competitions. It is the second successive season Benfica have reached the Champions League quarter-finals, though they have never progressed further and were beaten by Liverpool at that stage last term. Since the Champions League was formed, Benfica have lost all five quarter-finals they have played in, but this result and performance will give them hope of taking the next step.

Goals Continued to Flow For Benfica

The hosts were well on top for the majority of the half and eventually scored their opener in the 38th minute, with Ramos crossing the ball to Rafa Silva who controlled and found some space before slotting into the corner of the far post. The second was scored just on the brink of half-time, with Ramos skipping past several challenges in the box before firing a low shot.

It was more of the same in the second half, and in the 57th minute, Ramos completed his brace with a powerful near-post finish. Joao Mario scored the fourth goal from the spot, sending Simon Mignolet the wrong way, after Abakar Sylla’s rash challenge on Gilberto earned Benfica a penalty. Substitute David Neres scored in the 77th minute after drilling the ball into the far corner. It was initially ruled offside by the linesman, but VAR reversed the decision to give Benfica their fifth of the night.

Bjorn Meijer grabbed a late consolation goal for the visitors to make it 5-1 in the 87th minute.

Manager’s Reaction On the Game

Roger Schmidt said after the game that “We are among the top eight teams and we deserve it because we played like a great team. “These days we like to perform with excellence. We came in to win and play attacking football, not to defend the 2-0 lead. We scored at the right times, we were smart, we controlled the ball and we accelerated at the right times.”

Scott Parker admitted his job was in jeopardy after the humbling defeat. He added “For me it’s been challenging, but the players have been brilliant and wanting to do everything they can to turn this around,” he said. “I understand people now doubt (me), I’m not naive enough to not (think that). All I can say is that I’m trying to turn this around and create a team that will start winning again.