Liverpool took an option on qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions League on April 5, 2022 in Lisbon. The English club won 3-1 at Benfica in the quarter-final first leg. In the other game of the evening, Manchester City beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kevin De Bruyne.
The fervor of the Estádio da Luz supporters was not enough, this April 5, 2022 in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League (C1). Benfica lost 3-1 to an intractable Liverpool in the first half and was on track to play in the C1 semi-finals.
An intractable Liverpool in the first period
Despite a good, rhythmic start to the match, the Portuguese club cracked for the first time, in the 17th minute. On a corner from the left, the Franco-Ivorian defender Ibrahima Konaté jumps to the far post and takes the ball with a header: 0-1. The goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos, who had made a double parade shortly before against Guinea Naby Keita and the Englishman Trent Alexander-Arnold (12th), is beaten.
The Greek goalkeeper then lost to a point-blank goal from Senegalese striker Sadio Mané, superbly served with a header by Colombian striker Luis Diaz (0-2, 34th). On the other hand, Vlachodimos avoids the worst at the Portuguese club, just before the break, by winning a duel against Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah (45th). First turn.
Benfica revolt
Because at the start of the second period, Benfica got back into the game. On a cross from the right, Konaté involuntarily lets the ball pass between his legs. Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez is lucid enough to control him and place him in the back of the net with a small curling shot: 1-2, 49th.
The Lisbon formation then pushes to equalise. The Brazilian attacking midfielder Everton sends a powerful low shot but his compatriot Alisson Becker protects the cage of the Reds (60th). In the 67th minute, Nunez was hooked in the English area by Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk. Penalty for Benfica? Not according to referee Jesus Gil Manzano. Second turn.
Luis Diaz’s killer goal
Despite their efforts, local players are not rewarded. Worse: in the 87th minute, Luis Diaz, former resident of FC Porto, the rival club, widens the gap for the visitors. From a 2-2 we went to a 3-1 that will be difficult to erase on April 13 in England…