In what can only be described as a Champions League nightmare for Atlético Madrid, Benfica laid down the hammer, defeating the Spanish side 4-0. Yes, you read that correctly—4-0. It was a match where Benfica’s attack danced around Atlético’s defense, while Jan Oblak did his best to avoid an even more embarrassing defeat. Unfortunately for Oblak, his stellar saves couldn’t stop the floodgates from opening.
While Atlético Madrid are known for their defensive solidity under Diego Simeone, they were unrecognizable in this match. Benfica, on the other hand, looked like they were playing a training session with full access to the cheat codes.
Let’s break down this football spectacle that saw Kerem Akturkoglu, Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, and Orkun Kokcu all get their names on the scoresheet.
Akturkoglu Opens the Floodgates Early
It didn’t take long for Benfica to make their intentions known. Just 13 minutes in, Atlético’s defense decided to gift-wrap the opener like it was Christmas morning. A defensive error left Fredrik Aursnes free to pounce on a loose ball, and his quick thinking led to a perfect pass for Kerem Akturkoglu. The Turkish winger calmly slotted past a helpless Jan Oblak, who could do nothing but watch as his defenders crumbled in front of him.
And that was just the beginning. Benfica seemed to take Atlético’s early generosity as a sign to keep pressing forward. The Estadio da Luz was buzzing with every attack, and while Benfica didn’t immediately add a second goal, the signs were ominous for Simeone’s men.
Di Maria’s Penalty Puts Benfica in Control
In typical Angel Di Maria fashion, the Argentine maestro made sure to leave his mark on the game. After a clumsy foul by Nahuel Molina in the box, Di Maria stepped up to the spot. Spoiler alert: he didn’t miss.
With his effortless technique, Di Maria slotted the ball past Oblak, putting Benfica up 2-0. The penalty was as cool as they come, and the crowd erupted in joy as the two-goal cushion effectively knocked the wind out of Atlético’s sails. At that point, it felt like Benfica were playing FIFA on “easy mode,” while Atlético was stuck in real life with a controller that wasn’t working.
Bah Heads in the Third as Atlético Struggle
At this point, Atlético Madrid was officially in damage control mode. Or at least they tried to be. But as it turns out, things can always get worse.
In the 75th minute, Alexander Bah rose high to head home from a corner kick, completely unmarked inside the six-yard box. It was the kind of header where you wonder if Atlético’s defense simply took a group nap. Oblak, as he had been all night, was left stranded, watching the ball soar into the back of the net.
To say that Atlético was falling apart would be an understatement. Simeone was fuming on the sidelines, and you could almost see the frustration bubbling over as his team struggled to keep up with Benfica’s relentless attack.
Kokcu Puts the Nail in the Coffin
If there was any lingering hope for a miraculous Atlético comeback, Orkun Kokcu snuffed it out with his penalty in the 85th minute. Another defensive mistake, this time by Reinildo Mandava, led to Zewki Amdouni being fouled inside the box. Kokcu stepped up and smashed the penalty home, adding salt to Atlético’s wounds.
By this point, the only thing saving Atlético from even more humiliation was Jan Oblak, who made several brilliant saves late in the game. Without his heroics, the scoreline could have easily been 6-0 or worse. The Slovenian goalkeeper may have stopped the bleeding, but the damage had already been done.
Oblak’s Honest Assessment: “It’s Pitiful”
Post-match, Jan Oblak didn’t mince his words. Speaking to Spanish television, the Atlético keeper admitted, “It’s pitiful to lose like this… I don’t have a single positive thing I can say today.”
Oblak’s frustration was palpable, and understandably so. Atlético Madrid didn’t just lose—they were dismantled. Oblak’s stunning saves might have kept the scoreline from ballooning even further, but as he said, “We didn’t show up.” The loss left a woeful impression, and for a team that prides itself on defensive discipline, this performance was far from acceptable.
Benfica’s Dominance: What This Win Means
For Benfica, this victory was monumental. It marked their second consecutive win in the UEFA Champions League, putting them in an excellent position to progress through the group stages. Their pressing, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing were on full display, leaving Diego Simeone and his Atlético side shell-shocked.
With goals from Akturkoglu, Di Maria, Bah, and Kokcu, Benfica sent a clear message to the rest of Europe: they are a force to be reckoned with. And while Oblak did his best to prevent an even larger scoreline, Benfica’s relentless attack proved too much for the Spanish giants.
FAQs
Benfica defeated Atlético Madrid 4-0 in a dominant UEFA Champions League performance.
Benfica’s goals came from Kerem Akturkoglu, Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, and Orkun Kokcu.
Atlético Madrid struggled throughout the match, with defensive errors and a lack of attacking threat. Jan Oblak made several key saves, but his efforts were not enough to prevent a 4-0 loss.
This win gives Benfica two consecutive victories in the UEFA Champions League, putting them in a strong position in the group stage.
Key moments include Akturkoglu’s opening goal, Di Maria’s penalty, Bah’s header, and Kokcu’s late penalty to seal the win for Benfica.
Conclusion: Benfica’s European Statement
Benfica vs Atlético Madrid was a masterclass from the Portuguese side, who handed Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid a 4-0 thrashing that few saw coming. With goals from Kerem Akturkoglu, Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, and Orkun Kokcu, Benfica dominated from start to finish, leaving Atlético with more questions than answers.
While Jan Oblak managed to stop the scoreline from getting even worse, his stunning saves couldn’t mask the disastrous performance from Atlético’s defense. As Benfica looks ahead to the rest of the Champions League campaign, this win puts them in a strong position to make a deep run in Europe’s premier competition.
For Atlético Madrid, it’s back to the drawing board.
