Benfica storm to emphatic Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid

A rampaging Benfica ran riot in a shock 4-0 rout of hapless Atletico Madrid to continue their perfect start to their Champions League campaign.

While most were anticipating a close contest between two evenly matched sides, it was the Portuguese outfit who took full control of proceedings from the opening stages of the game, showing far more attacking endeavour and purpose against a surprisingly disjointed Atletico Madrid side that were coming into this game on the high of having just secured a last-gasp draw against arch-rivals Real only days earlier.

While Diego Simeone has earned a reputation for building defensively solid and highly organised teams, he was outsmarted in comprehensive fashion by his opposite number in Bruno Lage, who masterminded a phenomenal gameplan that completely nullified Atletico’s attacking threat while also seeing his side carve through the Atletico backline time and time again.

Akturkoglu, who has been one of Benfica’s standout performers since arriving at the club in the summer, was the man to put the Lisbon side in front, sweeping a low, powerful effort past Oblak in the opening quarter of an hour. Benfica looked in full control throughout the opening half, but were unable to extend their lead, Pavlidis striking the outside of the post in first half stoppage time.

It was in the second that the floodgates opened though, Pavlidis winning a penalty upon a VAR review, with Angel di Maria converting in emphatic fashion to double Benfica’s advantage and provide some breathing room for the Primeira Liga giants.

A wonderful delivery from Beste from an in-swinging corner then saw Bah head home in the 75th minute of the game before Kokcu converted another penalty for Benfica late on to complete the thrashing.

Having beaten Red Star Belgrade in their opening League Phase fixture, Benfica now have 6 points from their opening two Champions League games and sit 3rd in the league table, one of only 7 sides to have won both of their first two matches of the campaign.

The result continues Benfica’s resurgence under Bruno Lage, who has won all of his matches at the helm of the club since returning last month.