Benfica delivered a commanding performance in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff on February 12, 2025, defeating AS Monaco 1-0 at the Stade Louis II. The pivotal moment came just after halftime, when Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal of the match, and Monaco was quickly reduced to ten men, which significantly hampered their chances of staging a comeback.
Pavlidis showcased his attacking prowess with a splendid chip finish just three minutes after the restart. The striker broke the deadlock after latching onto a sweeping pass behind Monaco's defense from Benfica right-back Araujo, skillfully lifting the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki. This marked Pavlidis’s sixth goal of the Champions League season, illustrating his growing importance to the team.
Things took a dramatic turn for Monaco when midfielder Moatasem Al-Musrati was dismissed shortly after Pavlidis's goal. Al-Musrati, who was making his Champions League debut, received his second yellow card for gesturing to the referee following what he thought was an unjust foul on his teammate, Breel Embolo, by Benfica's Alvaro Carreras. This decision turned the tide of the match, leaving Monaco with only ten men for the remainder of the game.
Before Benfica took control of the match, the first half was uneventful, with limited clear chances for both teams. Benfica's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin was called upon to make some key saves, including denying shots from Akliouche and Carreras, as both sides struggled to break the deadlock.
Once the second half commenced, Benfica seized the initiative. After Pavlidis's opening goal, the remainder of the match saw them largely dominating. Coach Bruno Lage's side pressed hard to extend their lead, with impressive attempts at goal from players like Orkun Kökçü and Fredrik Aursnes, who tested the Monegasque defense repeatedly. Their efforts, combined with Monaco's deteriorated position, created lopsided match dynamics.
Monaco, now needing to regroup, faced the challenge of playing without Al-Musrati. Adi Hütter's men attempted to limit the damage and create opportunities, but the combinations frequently lacked the quality needed to penetrate Benfica’s structure. With midfield strength diminished, their counter-attacking options were severely restricted.
Subsequently, for Benfica, the win not only provided a slim lead heading back to Portugal but also extended their winning streak to four matches across all competitions—a significant morale boost as they prepare for domestic and European competitions alike. Sitting second behind local rivals Sporting Lisbon, they aimed to convert this playoff matchup favorably, having previously scored impressive wins against Monaco, including their league encounter earlier this season.
Looking forward, both teams must address injury concerns as they approach the second leg. Benfica's Angel Di Maria left late with apparent hamstring trouble, raising doubts over his eligibility for the decisive clash set for Tuesday, February 18, at the Estádio da Luz. Monaco will be without Al-Musrati and potentially their captain Denis Zakaria, who was booked during the match, meaning they will be missing key players who could have shaped the outcome.
The stakes are high; the winner will progress to face giant opponents, either Liverpool or Barcelona, once the round of 16 commences. For now, the Champions League play-off has set the stage for another epic showdown as both sides gear up for the challenge ahead.