Aktürkoğlu scores stunner to earn Benfica 1-0 win over Fenerbahçe and secure Champions League berth | OneFootball

SL Benfica 1-0 Fenerbahçe SK

European nights at the  Estádio da Luz are always special, but Wednesday’s clash against Fenerbahçe had a unique feel. There was a tension in the air as the sea of red and white shirts approached the stadium, and it was easy to feel the gravity and enormity of the occasion. The stakes were high, and after an evenly matched 0-0 draw in the first leg, the Eagles needed a result if they hoped to keep their Champions League dream alive.

Benfica rose to the occasion, playing some phenomenal football to secure a vital 1-0 win. Ironically, it was Kerem Aktürkoğlu, a former Galatasaray player and a reported Fenerbahçe target, who scored the only goal of the game — a brilliant right-footed finish that turned out to be the difference. Benfica will now progress to the group/league phase of the Champions League for a fifth consecutive season.

Mourinho’s return to the Estádio da Luz

Standing in the way of Benfica and a place in the prestigious (and highly lucrative) league phase was a talented Fenerbahçe side, and two-time Champions League winner José Mourinho. Regarded as one of Portugal’s great tacticians, Mourinho is a specialist in progressing in European competitions, even under the most challenging circumstances.

Mourinho earned his first-ever managerial position with Benfica back in 2000, and 25 years later, he had returned to Lisbon with one motive: to eliminate the club from Champions League contention.

The 62-year-old has a great record against Benfica dating back to his early coaching days in Portugal, but this was arguably one of the most talented Benfica sides he has faced. His team was unable to slow down a rampant Benfica that produced one of their best performances of the season.

Early VAR controversy, Barrera’s disallowed goal

Benfica manager Bruno Lage made changes to the side that took the pitch against Tondela this weekend, coming out with a more defensive group. Leandro Barreiro returned to the lineup as cover for Florentino, who was red-carded in the first leg, and Vangelis Pavlidis was selected as the lone striker.

The Eagles came out with intent and purpose, pushing forward early on. In the third minute, Barrera had a glorious opportunity to put the home side ahead, but fired directly into keeper Dominik Livakovic after connecting with a cross.

The Benfica supporters were delighted when Pavlidis had the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute. Their celebrations were short-lived, though. Mourinho protested the goal vehemently, waving his hands in the air as he put pressure on the referee to take a second look at the incident. A lengthy video review eventually deemed that Barrera was offside, a harsh decision considering the player didn’t seem to be interfering with play.

In the 22nd minute, there was more controversy to come. Barreiro was once again involved, heading the ball into the net after finding some space at the back post. There didn’t appear to be much contact, but once again, the goal was disallowed after the Luxembourg midfielder was judged to have fouled Archie Brown. It was another contentious whistle, and the Benfiquistas were starting to grow restless after another decision went against them.

Aktürkoğlu breaks the deadlock with stunning goal

The pressure was non-stop from the Lisbon side. Another shot from Rios sailed just wide in the 28th minute, and it was all Benfica at the half-hour mark.

Fenerbahçe were happy to take their time and chose to focus on keeping their shape instead of taking any unnecessary chances. In the 33rd minute, they earned a free kick from a dangerous spot. Talisca, who is more than capable of the spectacular, wasted the chance when he hammered his strike straight into the wall.

In the 35th minute, the goal finally came. Benfica’s relentless effort finally paid off. Ironically, it was the Turkish winger who broke the deadlock after some sloppy defending from the visitors. The ball fell to Barreiro, who could have shot himself, but chose to unselfishly deliver the ball to the winger on the left side of the box, who curled a spectacular right-footed shot that few keepers on the planet would’ve been able to save.

As the half was coming to a close, the ball once again fell to Barreiro just in front of the goal. He had little time to react and failed to connect properly with a powerful cross into the six-yard box. Barreiro was energetic and lively in the first half, but if his finishing had been a little sharper, Benfica could have easily been two or three goals up going into the break.

Bosnian right-back Amar Dedic, already a fan favourite at the Estádio da Luz, put in another strong performance for Benfica. (Photo: Arlindo Homen ©)

Benfica’s defence holds firm to close out thrilling European encounter

Fenerbahçe came out with a more direct approach in the second half, opting for a more open formation and pressing the Benfica players. Benfica’s defenders, however, held firm. António Silva was exceptional on the night, reminding viewers around Europe why he was such a highly rated prospect when he broke into the Benfica first team a few years ago. Newly signed right-back Amar Dedic also had a strong outing. Richard Rios was a wall in the centre of the park, halting any penetration from the Fenerbahçe midfielders.

Benfica did have their chances to close out the tie. Pavlidis angled his shot wide after linking up with Fredrik Aursnes in the 57th minute. Pavlidis was undeterred, earning a corner in the 60th minute, which Silva almost headed in for Benfica’s second. A remarkable save from Livakovic kept the deficit at one goal.

Benfica refused to sit back and play out a one-goal victory, and they were nearly punished for it. Fenerbache’s best chance came in the 71st minute when a header from El-Nesyri hit the crossbar. The visitors were inches away from levelling a game that Benfica, until that point, had dominated.

Lage turned to his substitutes in the 76th minute, bringing on Andreas Schjelderup and Franjo Ivanovic.

Late in the match, the referee was under the spotlight again, this time for handing out a second yellow card to Talisca for what appeared to be an elbow on Enzo Barrenechea. It was a major setback for Fenerbache as they looked to claw their way back with under 10 minutes remaining.

Mourinho’s team did their best with 10 men, playing a series of long balls. In the end, Benfica were able to hold on for a vital 1-0 victory to join 35 other teams in the league stage of the competition.

Benfica were too strong for Fenerbahçe in Lisbon tonight. (Photo: Arlindo Homen ©)

(Photos by Arlindo Homem)

Benfica XI: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedic, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Samuel Dahl, Richard Ríos, Enzo Barrenechea, Fredrik Aursnes, Leandro Barreiro, Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Andreas Schjelderup, 76’), Vangelis Pavlidis (Franjo Ivanovic, 76’)