Karabakh Shocks Benfica with Dramatic Champions League Victory – Breaking News!
Reporting from Lisbon – Updated 00:44 Baku Time
In a stunning upset that reverberates across European football, Azerbaijan’s champions, Karabakh, have secured a historic 3-2 victory over Portuguese giants Benfica in their Champions League group stage debut. This landmark win isn’t just a triumph for Karabakh; it’s the first time a team from Azerbaijan has won a match at this stage of the prestigious tournament. The match, a rollercoaster of emotions, saw a late winner from substitute Alexei Kashchuk seal the deal in the 86th minute.
Second-Half Comeback Fuels Historic Win
Benfica took an early lead, going into halftime with a 2-1 advantage. However, Karabakh emerged from the break with renewed vigor, orchestrated by manager Gurban Gurbanov. The team displayed remarkable resilience, leveling the score shortly after the restart with a goal from Camilo Duran in the 48th minute. Duran’s strike, hitting the crossbar before nestling into the net, ignited the comeback.
Late Drama and a Winning Goal
The game remained fiercely contested, with Benfica applying significant pressure. A worrying moment for Karabakh came in the 77th minute when Marco Yankovich sustained an injury, forcing a double substitution with Toral Bayramov also entering the fray. But the changes proved inspired. Just as the match seemed headed for a draw, Alexei Kashchuk, who had just come on as a substitute, delivered the decisive blow, sending the Karabakh faithful into raptures.
First-Half Battles and Near Misses
The first half wasn’t without its drama. Leandro Andrade initially pulled a goal back for Karabakh in the 30th minute, fulfilling a pre-match prediction he’d made to Portuguese media. However, Benfica had previously established a 2-0 lead through goals from Enzo Barrenchea (6th minute) and Vangelis Pavlidis (16th minute). Karabakh came close to equalizing before halftime, with Kadi hitting the post and Yankovich’s effort being denied by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin.
A History-Making Night for Azerbaijani Football
Karabakh’s journey to the Champions League group stage is a testament to their growing strength in Azerbaijani football. While they previously faced Portuguese opposition in the Europa League – with mixed results against Sporting Lisbon – this victory over Benfica represents a significant leap forward. Benfica, a two-time Champions Cup winner (1961, 1962) and frequent participant in the Champions League knockout stages, were considered overwhelming favorites. Their recent domestic form, currently 4th in the Portuguese league, didn’t diminish expectations.
Champions League Context and Future Implications
This result throws Group H wide open. Elsewhere in the Champions League tonight, Athletic Bilbao lost to Arsenal 2-0 and PSV Eindhoven fell to Union Saint-Gilloise 3-1. Karabakh’s win demonstrates the increasing competitiveness of teams from outside the traditional European powerhouses. It also highlights the importance of tactical flexibility and squad depth in navigating the challenges of the Champions League. For Azerbaijani football, this victory is a watershed moment, inspiring a new generation of players and raising the profile of the league on the international stage. The team will now look to build on this momentum as they continue their Champions League campaign.
The energy surrounding this win is palpable, and it’s clear that Karabakh isn’t just participating in the Champions League – they’re aiming to make a statement. This is a story that will undoubtedly be followed closely by football fans around the world, and a reminder that in the beautiful game, anything is possible.
