Norwegian connection ensures Benfica's CL hopes stay alive with commanding 2-0 home victory over Nice | OneFootball

SL Benfica 2 - 0 OGC Nice

Bruno Lage chose to stick with the same 11 he started with in the first leg against OGC Nice on Tuesday, and in all honesty, why not? Aside from a few hiccups in the opening 30 minutes in France, things couldn’t have gone much better for SL Benfica in the first leg. In a hostile atmosphere at the Allianz Riviera, the Lisbon club managed to take command of the tie with goals from the newly signed striker Franjo Ivanović and  Florentino, earning a two-goal cushion to take back to Lisbon. On Tuesday, Benfica picked up right where they left off at the Estádio da Luz.

This was a dominant display from the home side from start to finish. Benfica knew that they only needed a draw (or even a one-goal defeat would suffice) to progress to the playoff round of the Champions League competition, but that didn't stop Lage's men from taking the initiative. Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanovic, Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup all looked dangerous, and two early goals seemed to calm the home supporters' nerves. Ultimately, Benfica cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory, completing a 4-0 aggregate win.

Norwegian connection gives Benfica early two-goal boost

Benfica held their nerve early on with their center-back partnership of Nicolás Otamendia and Antonio Silva maintaining a firm back line to ensure the home side was able to endure any early pressure. Nice continued to press in the opening minutes with Terem Moffi latching on to a through ball into the box, but the  Nigerian striker could only slash his 7th-minute shot over the bar.

Benfica started to find their footing and had a legitimate penalty shout moments later, which was promptly waived off by the referee after a brief VAR review. With 15 minutes gone, Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin was yet to be tested, and if anything, the home side looked the more likely to break through.

The opening goal eventually came in the 18th minute. Aursnes had caused problems throughout the first half with some well-timed runs into the box, and the Norwegian was rewarded for his relentless effort when he connected with a cross from his compatriot Andreas Schjelderup. Enzo Barrenechea's long ball found the left winger, who was able to cut his pass back. Aursnes was patiently waiting in the box and, after almost tumbling over as he attempted to control the ball, was able to place it into the back of the net with his right foot from just outside the six-yard box.

Aursnes was again involved in the second goal. It seemed as if every Benfica player on the pitch had a touch of the ball before it fell to Dedic down the right wing. The full back heeled the ball back to Aursnes who wasted no time in finding Schjelderup in the box. The Norwegian connected perfectly, angling a low shot into the bottom right corner to give the home side a two-goal advantage.

With less than 30 minutes gone, this tie looked to be secure for the Eagles. Nice did manage to hit the post in the first half with a powerful volley from Clauss nearly bringing them back into the match.

Benfica, however, remained unfazed. A dangerous free kick just outside the box in the 34th minute ricocheted off the wall for a corner and soon after a Otamedni cross was tipped over by Yehvann Diouf, if anything, Benfica was the more likely to score and it was Ivanovic who shot over from a Pavlidis cross just before the half.

Benfica's midfield hold off Nice firepower to secure playoff place

Nice started the second half the better side, but the Eagles kept their shape. Defender Juma Bah had a header that flew just wide and the the visitors looked to be pushing their way back into the match. Unfortunately for Franck Haise's side, that was about all they could produce. Benfica's fluid midfiled play ensured the home side remained in total control.

Lage's team looked comfortable, but the manager brought on some fresh legs in the 63rd minute, throwing Leandro Barreiro, Gianluca Prestianni and Florentino into the mix in the 63rd minute to close out the match. Florentino was exceptional in the middle of the park, making sure to close any gaps and frustrate Nice's midfielders. Prestianni looked lively as well, using his quickess and agility to break through in the final third of the pitch.

As the second half progressed, Schjelderup, Prestianni and Pavlidis all had chances too, but a third goal would have been a little unfair on Nice, who to their credit, continued to push forward.

Benfica set up mouthwatering clash with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahçe SK

Only 180 minutes of football stand in the way of Benfica and a spot in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. However, the Lisbon giants will have to overcome legendary Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho and a talented Fenerbahçe side that won't go down without a fight. Mourinho, always up for a challenge, will want to prove that he is still one of Europe's elite managers, and what better place to do that than at the club where it all started for the 62-year-old Champions League winner.

Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedic, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Samuel Dahl, Richard Ríos, Fredrik Aursnes (Kerem Aktürkoglu, 84'), Enzo Barrenechea (Florentino Luis, 63'), Andreas Schjelderup (Gianluca Prestianni, 63'), Vangelis Pavlidis (Henrique Araújo, 81), Franjo Ivanovic (Leandro Barreiro, 63')