Benfica went into their Champions League Group C clash with AS Monaco knowing that three points would be crucial to their survival in the European showpiece.
After a bright start, the hosts faded in the encounter and allowed Monaco to dominate proceedings, before some lacklustre defending allowed Benfica to steal in and earn a vital victory thanks to the efforts of playmaker Talisca.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the game at the Estadio da Luz developed.
Match statistics
BENFICA
Shots: 15
On target: 3
Possession: 55%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 16
AS MONACO
Shots: 15
On target: 5
Possession: 45%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 16
Was the result fair?
Not particularly. Benfica started the game brightly and looked favourites early on, but their performance waned halfway through the first half and never really returned. After a disappointing first period, Monaco bounced back in the second half and they should have grabbed all three points had it not been for the heroics of Julio Cesar. It was only thanks to some poor defending that Benfica were able to steal in and earn survival in the tournament.
Benfica's performance
The Eagles started the game in an enterprising manner, with Nicolas Gaitan and Talisca looking dangerous. However, they were unable to turn their possession and dominance into goals as the hosts' frontline faltered. It was evident to see that Benfica have problems in the striking department as they failed to provide the clinical touch required to break down Monaco's defence. They did, however, hang on in the contest when they weren't at their best, which allowed the talismanic Talisca to snatch the three points.
AS Monaco's performance
Leonardo Jardim's side began the game in a poor fashion, with Benfica outclassing the visitors all over the pitch. After a despondent first period, the French side responded in the second half and dominated the game. Winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco was a joy to behold going forward and could hold the key to Monaco's progression in the tournament. Had they not fallen asleep at the back for one moment in the game, they could have taken a point if not three from the encounter.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Julio Cesar: The Brazilian goalkeeper was a thorn in Monaco's side throughout the fixture and he kept Benfica in the contest; had he wilted earlier in the game, survival would have been long gone for the Portuguese side. One other player of particular note was Talisco, who ran the SLB midfield going forward and showed great composure to finish at the back post and keep his side in the tournament.
Biggest gaffe
Lacina Traore's performance was certainly nothing to write home about and it's a surprise he lasted as long as he did on the pitch without being substituted. The striker went down far too easily under pressure from the Benfica defence and he failed to do his job in holding up the ball for his teammates. It was a game he'll probably want to forget.
Referee performance
David Fernandez Borbalan went about his job with ease and didn't have too many controversial incidents to deal with. He was quick to dish out cards in the first half in order to set a precedent for the rest of the game. His one downfall would have been incorrectly awarding an offside decision against Layvin Kurzawa, who leapt brilliantly to produce a header and draw a world-class save from Cesar.
What next?
Benfica:
SLB will now travel to face Zenit St Petersburg at the end of the month with hopes of earning a second victory to help bolster their slim hopes of progression into the next round. If they are to go through though, Benfica will need to vastly improve in front of goal as tonight showcased just how lacking they currently are in the striking department.
Monaco:
The French side will leave this fixture a little bruised and battered knowing that they let slip on a crucial three point that could have propelled their qualification hopes. Jardim's side next face a tough trip to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, with tonight highlighting their potency up top. They'll need to do something fast if they're going to be able to score enough goals to earn a victory at the BayArena.
Christopher Dodd
