CLike every last matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage, you could feel the nerves. Benfica was fighting for first place against PSG and Maccabi Haifa was looking to sneak into the Europa League and not say goodbye to his journey in European competitions. The last day of Group H closed with four goals from Benfica de Ramos, Musa, Grimaldo, Silva, Arajo and Joao Mario and a goal from Chery’s Maccabi Haifa from a penalty.
The meeting started very quickly on both sides. Maccabi Haifa wasted a clear chance in the fifth minute, when David sent it wide with his left foot. Benfica woke up elaborating two dangerous occasions.
The can was opened by the visiting team, which had as goal at night to get ahead of the pack, with Gonalo Ramos appearing in the 20th minute to open the scoring with a header. Just six minutes later he had the Maccabi Haifa the opportunity from eleven meters. She didn’t miss out on Chery, who tied the match to give her team some encouragement.
The second half began strongly for both teams, but without any clear chance to move the scoreboard. Until Benfica took a step forward again when Peter Musa heads a splendid cross to the right post at minute 60.
Benfica stepped on the accelerator
I just left the party very on track Lex Grimaldo with a great free kick putting it to the right of the goalkeeper and scoring Benfica’s third in the 69th minute. The visiting team did not want to end the goal festival and joined Rafa Silva with a wonderful playafter a spectacular pass from David Neres and the incredible picadita from the Spaniard.
The Portuguese club sought to remove PSG from the top of the table and Henrique Arajo arrived with the fifth. Signing a little hand against Maccabi Haifa and staying just one goal away from being first in the group.
Until a goal from Joao Mrio in 92 gave Benfica the lead. The player received a pass, made space and connected a spectacular shot from long distance that slipped into the lower left corner.
Maccabi Haifa lost hope with each rival goal. the israeli set could not overcome a Benfica that stepped on the accelerator.
