Given the result of the first leg and Benfica’s big win (4-1), there was no suspense on Tuesday. The previous Champions League quarter-finalists again beat Midtjylland (3-1) and thus qualified for the Champions League.
He had nothing to lose, except that Midtjylland wanted to believe in this feat. The Danes took five corner kicks in the first 20 minutes. But the Portuguese managed to take advantage of the slightest mistake. Joao Mario found him in the Midtjylland region, and Goncalo Ramos dominated before crossing to Argentine Enzo Fernandez, who was forgotten by the defense. Only his recovery tricked the goalkeeper from close range (23, 0-1). Benfica controlled the game and the ball by 60%.
Despite trailing by four goals (first leg count), the Danish fans continued to sing and cheer for their team, which nonetheless seemed resigned. Shortly before the hour, in a corner kick played by two, Joao Mario sent a cross into the near post for Araujo who veered off the ball and came to solidify Midtjylland’s dwindling hopes (56, 0-2).
However, Henrik Jensen players continued to take full advantage of their luck. Paulinho left-back Suri Kappa crossed a penalty kick, who headed a powerful header. But she collided with the clip of Flashodemus. The ball landed on Pune Sesto. The former Celta Vigo player did not hesitate and his shot deceived the Greek goalkeeper (63, 1-2).
Benfica continued to impose its pace, and the Danes responded with counterattacks. At the end of the match, Diogo Gonçalves returned the ball to the opponent’s court. Lonely, eccentric up to 25 metres, he unleashed a superb strike that landed under the goalkeeper’s opposite skylar. An exceptional goal ended a match dominated by Benfica. The Danes thought to save Honor in a new counterattack that ended with a goal from Chilovia, but the latter was finally sent an offside signal.
Benfica logically won 3-1 (7-2 on aggregate). FC Lisbon will know in the next few hours who Dinamo Kyiv (UK) or Sturm Graz (Australia) will be their opponents in the future. The Ukrainians won 1-0 in the first leg.
