AS Monaco faced off against Benfica on February 12, 2025, at the Stade Louis-II, where they suffered a narrow defeat of 0-1, marking the beginning of the UEFA Champions League playoff rounds. This early playoff clash was pivotal for both teams aiming to advance to the next stages of the prestigious tournament.
The match commenced with both sides eager to establish dominance, but the first half concluded without any goals. Despite some threatening plays, neither team could find the back of the net, culminating in what many described as a balanced but tense opening.
After the break, the tide quickly turned. Just three minutes after the whistle, Vangelis Pavlidis struck the first blow for Benfica, scoring what would be the match's only goal. "Goooooooooooooool!! Benfica opens the scoring with Vangelis Pavlidis’ goal just after the half-time break," reported by Mundo Deportivo USA. The swift goal put AS Monaco under significant pressure and marked the start of their struggles.
Tension grew for Monaco when midfielder Al Musrati was shown a second yellow card, leaving his team down to ten men. "Monaco is left with ten players after Al Musrati’s second yellow card," noted Mundo Deportivo USA. This incident shifted the momentum firmly to Benfica, who aimed to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Despite being down to ten men, Monaco fought valiantly, but the team's efforts to equalize were met with staunch resistance from the Benfica defense. Breel Embolo and his teammates struggled to create scoring chances, with several shots being deflected or saved by Benfica's goalkeeper. The match's intensity picked up, with both teams exchanging defensive actions as the clock ticked down.
Unfortunately for Monaco, time was not on their side. The match finished with the score locked at 0-1, reinforcing Benfica's lead going to the return leg of this playoff matchup. "Final score: Monaco 0, Benfica 1. Benfica takes the first step toward advancing," reported Mundo Deportivo USA.
With this result, Benfica took the lead going forward, and Monaco faces a challenging return match to overturn the deficit and keep their Champions League hopes alive. The second leg will be played at Benfica's home ground, Estádio da Luz, where the stakes will be even higher for both teams.
This match showcased the competitive spirit inherent in the Champions League, as two of Europe’s notable clubs battled for progression. While both teams have had mixed performances leading to this clash, Benfica now holds the advantage, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling reverse fixture.
Fans and analysts alike are now left questioning whether Monaco can rebound or if Benfica will seal their progression to the next round. Focus will now shift to the upcoming match, with both teams needing to adjust and recalibrate their strategies for the decisive encounter.