Benfica 2-3 Olympique Lyonnais
If you love the beautiful game and you enjoy SBOBET football betting, there are a few better ways to spend the first night of August than in the Estadio Algarve.
And that was the scenario facing both Benfica and Lyon in the latest ICC 2018 instalment.
Of course, Lyon were late arrivals in the tournament but were keen to make their mark as they compete amongst many of Europe’s elite.
Meanwhile, this was a final warm-up for Rui Vitoria’s men before the competitive action begins.
Highlights of the game
This was also potentially a chance for Memphis Depay—whose promise is yet to be fulfilled—to shine for the French club, plus an opportunity for new recruit Facundo Ferreyra to make his mark following his recent move from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Whoever the players on the pitch, it was always going to be a big ask for a repeat of the goals produced in Benfica’s last outing. However, they were certainly favourites after draws with Borussia Dortmund and Juventus, winning one and losing the other on penalties).
They were also clearly a team with the need to be up to speed quicker than their French counterparts—whose Ligue 1 campaign doesn’t begin until August 12—and so it proved on the pitch.
Both Depay and Ferreyra were largely restricted to long-range efforts early on. The closest to a goal in the opening half hour came after 28 minutes when Eduardo Salvio hit the post with a right-footed shot from the right hand side of the box.
Depay tested home goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos, but it was Benfica who came closest again only to be denied by the woodwork for the second time.
This time Salvio was the provider and Andre Almeida saw his shot strike the same post.
It was woodwork they were quickly made to regret after Marcelo headed home the opener off an assist from Depay. The Mercurial Dutchman saw his shot blocked but used the resulting corner to their advantage to break the deadlock.
Then, on the stroke of half-time and with their tails up, Lyon grabbed a second.
Tanguy Ndombele provided the assist this time, with ex-Chelsea man Bertrand Traore applying a fine finish.
Benfica must have felt hard done by and immediately set about redressing the balance.
Big summer signing Ferreyra was one of three players hooked off at the break. Nonetheless, even with new personnel, Benfica’s luck seemed out two minutes after the restart when they hit the woodwork for the third time.
The same post, in fact, denied a shot from Pizzi after he had latched on to a clever backheel from Almeida.
The midfielder was not to be kept out for long, however, and he reduced the arrears just before the hour after a Salvio pass.
When Marcelo put through his own net five minutes later to restore parity— deflecting an Andrija Zivkovic cross past his own goalkeeper—it seemed Benfica finally had ‘lady luck’ on their side.
That sense was increased when Lyon forward Mariano struck the post himself moments later.
A flurry of further substitutions followed and a penalty shoot-out looked a distinct possibility until seven minutes from time when 66th-minute sub Martin Terrier fired home a left-footed shot to give the French club the victory.
In truth, Benfica could and should have levelled as they deserved on the balance of play, but it was still an entertaining evening in the Algarve that undoubtedly deserves a spot in the ICC 2018 highlights.
Key statistics
If you exclude penalty shoot-outs, this was Benfica’s first defeat after going five matches unbeaten this pre-season.
Lyon named eight subs for this encounter. Benfica had their whole team at their disposal and 16 players were included in the squad on the bench alone.
Benfica hit the same post three times in the space of 20 minutes that would have changed ICC 2018 betting drastically.
What’s next?
After missing out on the Primera title last season, Benfica now face a qualifier for the Champions League and will play Turkish club Fenerbahce in the first leg on August 7 before the return tie a week later.
In between the two-legged affair, they will begin their bid to reclaim the league crown with a Portuguese Liga opener against Guimaraes.
Lyon continue their ICC adventure with an attractive looking fixture against Inter Milan and a friendly with Chelsea in London, even though the English FA Cup holders are in Community Shield action just 48 hours earlier.
Their first domestic game is on August 12 against Amiens.
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