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Dramatic 3-3 Draw Sees Benfica Battle Past Monaco into Champions League Knockouts

Benfica vs Monaco

Benfica scraped their way into the last 16 of the Champions League after a breathless 3-3 draw with Monaco that earned them a 4-3 win on aggregate in the play-off round. Monaco took the lead twice during the match and was close to forcing extra time before Orkun Kokcu’s late equalizer in the 84th minute sealed Benfica’s progression. The firefight in Lisbon sets up Benfica for the next round either Barcelona or Liverpool.  Despite being without Angel Di Maria, Benfica had enough about them to hold firm. While Monaco, missing midfield depth, had to change their line-up but still didn’t shy away from the fight. And the drama permeated every stage of the game. Benfica scored first with a goal from Kerem Akturkoglu, but Monaco drew level almost immediately with a goal from Takumi Minamino. Eliesse Ben Seghir and Vangelis Pavlidis traded goals before George Ilenikhena’s strike in the 81st minute — his sixth goal in seven league appearances — put Monaco back in front.  But Benfica would not fold, and Kokcu’s sharp response to a threatening cross leveled the score and clinched passage to the next round. Even a last-minute penalty, which was initially awarded to Benfica but overturned by VAR, added to the now nail-biting appeal of a match that is already on a knife edge.