AS Monaco Falls to Benfica in Thrilling Champions League Clash
In a dramatic encounter at the Stade Louis II, AS Monaco suffered a disappointing defeat to SL Benfica, losing 3-2 despite leading for a significant portion of the match. The fifth matchday of the Champions League saw Monaco aiming for a fourth victory in five games, but they ultimately succumbed to Benfica's late resurgence, marking a painful setback for the Monegasques.
Monaco started strong, with Eliesse Ben Seghir scoring the opening goal in the 13th minute after a well-executed counter-attack. The home team maintained control for much of the first half, with goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki making crucial saves to deny Benfica's Angel Di Maria. However, the tide turned in the second half when a defensive error allowed Pavlidis to equalize for Benfica just three minutes after the restart.
The match took a pivotal turn when Monaco's Wilfried Singo received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men. Despite this setback, Monaco regained the lead in the 68th minute through a goal from Magassa, assisted by Mawassa. With the score at 2-1, Monaco seemed poised to secure the win, but Benfica's Di Maria orchestrated a stunning comeback, delivering two precise crosses that resulted in goals from Cabral and Amdouni in the 84th and 88th minutes, respectively. This late flurry of goals allowed Benfica to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, leaving Monaco with regrets as they prepare for their next challenge against Arsenal on December 11.
