Monaco – Benfica: the Monegasques have cracked, the summary of the match

After a crazy match, AS Monaco lost to Benfica (2-3) this Wednesday evening during the 5th day of the Champions League. Discover the summary of the match.

Monaco 2: 3

Benfica Live

AS Monaco had the opportunity to take a big step towards direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League in the event of victory against Benfica, this Wednesday evening at the Stade Louis II. A tempting carrot for the Monegasques, determined in the first minutes of the match. At the end of a classy collective action, Ben Seghir concretized ASM's domination on a service from Golovin (1-0, 13th). However, behind, Monaco will retreat little by little small in this first period. Majecki saves his team in front of Angel Di Maria (37th) in particular, while Carreras (32nd) and Otamendi (38th) also came very close to equalizing. Note that Carreras should certainly have been sent off for a second yellow card just before the break…

A detail that will be important for the rest of the match. Because the referee of the match, Mr. Obrenovic, will not have the same leniency with Singo at the hour mark when he shows a second yellow card (57th). Monaco, who had seen Pavlidis equalize after a misunderstanding between Majecki and Henrique (1-1, 48th), manages not to sink and even takes the advantage thanks to Magassa twenty minutes from the end of the match (2-1, 67th). Benfica seems stunned but finally manages to crack the Monegasques on two crosses from the inevitable Angel Di Maria. The former PSG player first finds Cabral (2-2, 84th) then Amdouni (88th) to turn the match around and crucify ASM. Monaco falls to 8th place in the standings in this Champions League and may have said goodbye to direct qualification for the round of 16, in view of its calendar for the last three days. 

23:08 – Monaco drops in the rankings

Monaco had the opportunity to take a big step towards direct qualification for the round of 16 tonight against Benfica. But the defeat against Benfica (2-3) drops Monaco to 8th place in the rankings, with ten points taken in five days, tied with six other teams, including Lille (12th), who won at Bologna today (1-2).

23:02 – Monaco-Zakaria: “3 points lost rather stupidly”

Speaking to Canal+, AS Monaco captain Denis Zakaria regretted the match's scenario following this defeat against Benfica this Wednesday (2-3): “These are 3 points lost quite stupidly. We had the match in hand and we stopped playing, it's a shame. It was three points that were takeable. With ten men it's difficult to defend. They're a great team and they scored two magnificent goals. We want to qualify, that's the most important thing. If we can qualify for the top 8, it will be a bonus.

It's over at Louis II! At the end of a fantastic end to the match, AS Monaco lost to Benfica. Ben Seghir (13th) and Magassa (67th) scored for Monaco, while Pavlidis (48th), Cabral (84th) and Amdouni (88th) were the Portuguese scorers. Note that Monaco finished at 10 after Singo was sent off (57th).

22:52 – Benfica: Di Maria replaced

Benfica coach Bruno Lage also makes a change. Benjamin Rollheiser replaces Angel Di Maria, who provided two assists on the last two Portuguese goals and received a standing ovation by his supporters.

22:50 – Monaco: Zakaria gives up his place

Adi Hütter tries everything in this end of the match. Denis Zakaria is replaced by George Ilenikhena, a young 18-year-old striker.

22:49 – Six minutes of additional time

There will be six minutes of added time in this second half between Monaco and Benfica. Six minutes for Monaco to equalize in this end of the match!

Monaco completely cracks in this end of the match! From the right wing, Angel Di Maria makes another dangerous cross to find Zeki Amdouni in the six-yard box. The Benfica striker deceives Majecki with a powerful header 3-2 for Benfica in this crazy end of the match.

Cold snap at Louis II! On an almost innocuous action, Angel Di Maria manages to center perfectly in the race of Cabral who deceives Majecki with a powerful header. 2-2 between Monaco and Benfica at five minutes from the end of regulation time.

22:42 – Balogun makes a good entrance

Folarin Balogun makes a very good entrance at the tip of the attack, especially since Monaco is ten against eleven. The American manages to push back the opposing defense each time and keeps the ball well.

22:39 – Yellow card for Mawissa

Mawissa éscope &agrave his turn for a questionable yellow card after having shown a tiny bit of anti-play. The Slovenian referee continues with his decisions which are questionable to say the least.

22:36 – Monaco plays the ten-man game well

Even with ten against eleven, AS Monaco does not wait for Benfica in its area and continues to play football. The Portuguese have not been able to be dangerous since Singo was sent off.

22:33 – Trubin saves Benfica!

On a corner, the Monaco players play two and Golovin can cross to the far post. Zakaria heads it away and Balogun waits for the ball to bounce before striking but Trubin deflects it with his foot!

22:30 – 20 minutes left to play

There are about twenty minutes left to play in this match between Monaco and Benfica. The Monegasques are leading thanks to Magassa's first professional goal but will have to hold on to this advantage while shorthanded, after Singo was sent off just over ten minutes ago. The stage is set for the end of the match!

AS Monaco regains the advantage in this match against the run of play! In the box, on the left side, Mawissa overflows and manages to cross back for Magassa who takes it with the flat of his foot the entrance to the area to deceive Trubin! 2-1 for Monaco after just under 70 minutes of play.

22:24 – Benfica: Florentino and Pavlidis come off

Benfica coach Bruno Lage also makes two changes. Amdouni and Cabral come on for Florentino and Pavlidis respectively. 

22:21 – Monaco: Two more changes for Hütter

After the red card received by Singo, Adi Hütter is forced to react and makes two changes again. Embolo and Ben Seghir are replaced by Balogun and Salisu respectively. The latter will come to position himself in central defense.

Monaco will finish the match 10 against 11! On an aerial duel, Singo commits a foul on Pavlidis. The referee hesitates before finally showing a second yellow card in this match for the Monaco central defender. It's tough for Monaco and Singo.

22:16 – Monaco: Hütter makes two changes

AS Monaco coach Addi Haatter senses his team is struggling and makes two changes. Camara leaves his place to Magassa, while Caio Henrique is replaced by Mawissa.

It's Benfica's turn to have a goal disallowed! Found in the box, Angel Di Maria manages to turn and overflow to cross to the far post. Bah appears to beat Caio Henrique and beat Majecki with force! But the Argentinian was ultimately offside by a few centimetres. ASM got away with it.

AS Monaco thought they had taken the lead again in this match thanks to Akliouche, who was well-launched in depth and managed to eliminate the Portuguese goalkeeper one-on-one. But the goal was ultimately disallowed for offside, quite logically.

Benfica equalized at the start of the second half! In trying to head the ball back, Caio Henrique missed a little and his ball lacked power. Pavlidis followed up well and took advantage by scaring Majecki, who misses the ball when he comes out. The Greek striker can push the ball into the empty goal. 1-1!

Monaco comes close to making the break at the start of this second period! Found in the area by Akliouche, Embolo turns and shoots on the pivot but the ball crashes against the post.

It's back between Monaco and Benfica at the Stade Louis II! It is the Monegasques who are taking the lead in this second period.

21:56 – Monaco is not safe

After 45 minutes, AS Monaco did the hardest against Benfica (1-0) and won thanks to a goal scored by Eliesse Ben Seghir (13th), which concluded a very convincing first quarter of an hour for Monaco. But since then, the Monegasques have not stopped to retreat and are jostled by Angel Di Maria's teammates. Majecki saved his team-mates in front of the former PSG winger (37th) in particular, while Carreras (32nd) and Otamendi (38th) also came close to equalizing.

READ MORE