Benfica breezed past Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg, winning 5-1 to go through 7-1 on aggregate.

The result was never in doubt at Estádio da Luz, Gonçalo Ramos assisting Rafa for the opener in the 37th minute before scoring two goals either side of the break.

There was no way back for the Belgian club who were continually on the back foot, João Mário netting another penalty and David Neres scoring a fifth goal before Bjorn Meijer’s late consolation.

Roger Schmidt, his side and all Benfica supporters will be eagerly awaiting the quarter-final draw.

Benfica dominant

Benfica put the ball into the back of the net in the opening minute of the match. Gonçalo Ramos started the move which resulted in João Mário converting Alexander Bah’s cross, the goal ruled out after Ramos had strayed offside.

Hans Vanaken headed Casper Nielsen’s cross wide, but it was a brief respite for the visitors with the Eagles taking control in Lisbon.

The chances kept coming, Mário selflessly cutting the ball back for Florentino who fired wide. A great team move saw Alejandro Grimaldo race into the box and pick out Mário, the midfielder looking certain to score before Bjorn Meijer miraculously cleared the ball off the line.

Roman Yaremchuk headed Lang’s cross wide but the former Benfica striker was feeding off scraps up front. The visitors were given a chance in the 29th minute when Nicolás Otamendi fouled Tajon Buchanan on the edge of the area, Hans Vanaken firing the free kick into the wall.

Floodgates open

Benfica finally got the goal they deserved in the 38th minute. Ramos went on a long run down the left wing and played a perfect pass for Rafa Silva, the playmaker cutting inside a halfhearted challenge from Casper Nielsen and steering the ball into the bottom corner.

Ramos did it all himself in added time, collecting Mário’s pass and dancing past three defenders before blasting the ball into the bottom corner.

Scott Parker’s side were 4-0 down on aggregate and no chance of turning the tie around, the manager admitting as much at half time when he replaced Noa Lang with Raphael Onyedika.

Goals continue to flow

It had no effect with Benfica continuing where they left off and adding a third goal in the 57th minute. Fredrik Aursnes released Grimaldo, his cross perfectly positioned for Ramos who found a yard of space and beat Simon Mignolet from close range.

Parker brought on Denis Odoi and Ferran Jutglà for Clinton Mata and Yaremchuk, Roger Schmidt bringing on Gilberto and David Neres for Bah and Chiquinho.

Club Brugge’s evening went from bad to worse in the 71st minute when they fell 4-0 behind.

It was a sequence to forget for Abakar Sylla, the 20-year-old defender losing possession and conceding a penalty for an amateurish challenge on Gilberto. João Mário was never going to miss from the spot, netting his 20th goal of the season.

Six minutes later Benfica made it 5-0. Ramos, Rafa and João Neves combined to send Neres through on goal, the Brazilian picking his spot and steering the ball past Mignolet.

Bjorn Meijer scored with a sensational strike in the 88th minute, the very definition of a consolation goal as Benfica look ahead to the quarter-finals.

Analysis

Benfica were far too good for Club Brugge, the Belgian side a shadow of the team that beat Porto 4-0 at Estádio Do Dragão in September. Replacing Carl Hoefkens with Scott Parker was not a wise move.

Regardless, the Eagles did what they do best, particularly the fluent front three operating behind Gonçalo Ramos. The movement of Rafa, João Mário and Frekrik Aursnes is extremely difficult for opposition defences to handle, Brugge discovering that the hard way.

Mário’s guile, experience and positional play had been a big reason for Benfica’s success this season. He has been ever present, Schmidt extracting all the talent available the 30-year-old who has registered seven assists and 20 goals, eleven of them from the penalty spot.

Rafa’s end product continues to keep him below elite level, but he is very useful for Benfica and is involved in orchestrating so many goals without receiving assists.

Aursnes’ versatility has been a real surprise since moving to Lisbon, Schmidt moving him back to his preferred position on the left wing despite having specialist wingers on the bench in David Neres, Andreas Schjelderup and Gonçalo Guedes.

Gonçalo Ramos’ ability is no secret anymore, so many of his goals scored by getting a yard in front of opposition defenders and netting from close range. His link up play may go under the radar, but his value is surely increasing after every goal. The 21-year-old has now scored 22 goals for club and country including an incredible hat-trick in his first start for Portugal.

Benfica will undoubtedly face superior opposition in the quarter-finals. With the Eagles inching closer towards the Primeira Liga title each week, it’s going to be fascinating to see how far the Eagles can fly in the Champions League.

By Matthew Marshall at Estádio da Luz

Comments (16)

This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I'd love to Rafa come out of retirement. The chemistry he has with Ramos is amazing.
I think long term Ramos is going to have a much better career than Felix. To me Felix seems to have a mental weakness. Ramos just seems mentally stronger to me....

I'd love to Rafa come out of retirement. The chemistry he has with Ramos is amazing.
I think long term Ramos is going to have a much better career than Felix. To me Felix seems to have a mental weakness. Ramos just seems mentally stronger to me. We'll just have to see.

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Mike D
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Joao Felix is a more versatile player, he can play in different positions, today he would be a shining star if Simione was not his manager at Athletico Madrid.

Ramos is a new product once he joins a new club he could be a better player or not...

Joao Felix is a more versatile player, he can play in different positions, today he would be a shining star if Simione was not his manager at Athletico Madrid.

Ramos is a new product once he joins a new club he could be a better player or not is to be seen.

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Neville
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Blame Joao Felix and his agent Mendes for accepting a move to AM and a coach like Simeone. Look before you leap. Did he really need to leave Benfica at 19? and if so, was AM the best choice?

MrJohn
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You cannot blame anyone, Players have to look at their future and earn a living.

Players have between 10 to 12 years to earn a living in professional football. i.e between 18 to 32, so it's one reason that they have to move from club to club...

You cannot blame anyone, Players have to look at their future and earn a living.

Players have between 10 to 12 years to earn a living in professional football. i.e between 18 to 32, so it's one reason that they have to move from club to club across Europe. C R and Pepe are exceptional players.

Secondly, the levels of football in different European countries are different than in the home country. Benfica is a cradle of football but when they move to other European clubs they mature into professional players.

Let's watch Goncelo Ramos when he moves to England or Spanish or German or Italian clubs.

What was Joao Mario he started his play for Sporting CP loaned to Vitoria Setubal then moved to Inter Milan, was loaned to West Ham United, loaned to Lukomotive Moscow then loaned to Sporting, and now with Benfica.

SO JOAO FELIX is a good player and he is playing with a wrong Coach.

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Neville
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I do not begrudge Joao Felix for wanting to make the money. But he needs to make better choices. He knew Simeone was the head coach at AM and AM's style of play did not suit him and so did his agent. Also with the type of money he was...

I do not begrudge Joao Felix for wanting to make the money. But he needs to make better choices. He knew Simeone was the head coach at AM and AM's style of play did not suit him and so did his agent. Also with the type of money he was making, he should had known it would limit his future transfer options unless he was a superstar. Now he is at Chelsea and does not start there either.

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MrJohn
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Mario up to 3rd place now on Champions League top scorers list this season surpassing Taremi and equalling Vinicius Junior. Incredible.

SupremoGino
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Mario played selfishly scoring the penalty, he should have given it to Ramos to complete his hat trick.

Neville
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To match a record from Eusebio is not something you can do every year actually no one has done it since 1969 . I don't blame Mario. Ramos will have more chances

Bryan Cabral
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It think it makes Ramos look even better that his goal counts don't include a single penalty. Plus, this is Benfica under Schmidt.. Joao Mario is the penalty taker so he took the penalty. Simple. Sentiment is nice after the final whistle but the...

It think it makes Ramos look even better that his goal counts don't include a single penalty. Plus, this is Benfica under Schmidt.. Joao Mario is the penalty taker so he took the penalty. Simple. Sentiment is nice after the final whistle but the game is for winning.

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LisbonIsOurs
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It was not a defining penalty deciding the match, so making a decision on a field to give your team player makes no difference but brings confidence to players.

You need to understand that we are in the knockout stage of the Championship league....

It was not a defining penalty deciding the match, so making a decision on a field to give your team player makes no difference but brings confidence to players.

You need to understand that we are in the knockout stage of the Championship league. if the game goes into a deadlock at full-time, extra time, and then penalties deciding the match.

So during the penalty, every penalty is a deciding penalty, if players have no confidence & experience then they lose the game. You need good eleven penalty-takers to win a match, not just Mario.

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Neville
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Ramos looks pretty confident to me.

LisbonIsOurs
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Completely agree it's not a big deal that Mario took it. Plus chasing an Eusebio record will most likely never happen again for him. At the end of the day he is the penalty taker and he took it I don't think anyone had an issue with it.and yes it...

Completely agree it's not a big deal that Mario took it. Plus chasing an Eusebio record will most likely never happen again for him. At the end of the day he is the penalty taker and he took it I don't think anyone had an issue with it.and yes it is impressive Ramos has so many goals without any penalties.

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Bryan Cabral
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What a great tie for Benfica! I really have a lot of love for this team. It's a shame that it will get pretty much dismantled in the summer.....

BennyFromBrooklyn
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Not necessarily, players like Rafa and Joao Mario are older, so I don't see them leaving. And with what happened with Enzo Rui Costa has made it clear that he is not letting players go for cheap. Of course, some players like Otamendi and Ramos...

Not necessarily, players like Rafa and Joao Mario are older, so I don't see them leaving. And with what happened with Enzo Rui Costa has made it clear that he is not letting players go for cheap. Of course, some players like Otamendi and Ramos are likely to be leave, but that's just how Benfica is.

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JoeSugins
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Would truly love Benfica to be drawn with Chelsea in the QF with all the drama surrounding the Enzo transfer. Joao Felix potentially returning to the Estádio da Luz would be fun too.

Brian/RI/US
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I agree that would be a nice match up under the circumstances. Plus Joao Felix can kick himself for leaving Benfica too young. JF will miss the love of his former home crowd.

MrJohn
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