In a breathtaking display of resilience, Qarabag stunned Benfica with a 2-3 comeback victory at the Estadio da Luz, etching their name into Champions League history as the first Azerbaijani club to triumph in the tournament's main draw. The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League qualifiers had been a dream come true for the Armenian-Azerbaijani coach Gurban Gurbanov's side, who had not competed in Europe's premier club competition since 2016.
The match began with a ferocious pace, as Benfica seized control early. Within 16 minutes, the Portuguese forward Enzo Barrenechea and the Greek international Vangelis Pavlidis had already put the Portuguese giants ahead, leaving Qarabag trailing 2-0. However, the Azerbaijani champions refused to buckle, with Leandro Andrade leveling the score in the 30th minute through a clinical finish. A missed chance by Kady Borges, who struck the post, added to the tension as the first half closed.
The second half saw Qarabag surge forward, with Marko Jankovic's incisive defense-splitting pass finding Camilo Duran. The Colombian striker, making his Champions League debut, expertly prodded the ball into the far corner of the net to equalize in the 48th minute. The decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute when substitute Oleksii Kashchuk, playing with his back to goal, executed a breathtaking volley on the turn to seal a historic 3-2 win.
The victory was met with overwhelming emotion, as players and staff collapsed to their knees in celebration after the final whistle. This marked a dramatic contrast to their previous campaign, which ended in two draws and four losses, highlighting their transformation into a formidable European force. Qarabag's next challenge will be a home clash against Copenhagen, while Benfica will face Chelsea in the following round.
Related topics: UEFA Champions League, European Football, Qarabag, Benfica, Football
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