Danilo Pereira’s own goal cancelled out Lionel Messi’s brilliance as PSG and Benfica remained unbeaten in the Champions League after an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Benfica and PSG remained atop Group H in the UEFA Champions League after an entertaining 1-1 draw in Lisbon on Wednesday night. Both teams headed into the clash off the back of unbeaten records in 2022/23, both domestically and in European competition. And with honours even in Lisbon, the two teams have yet to experience defeat this season.
Benfica made a strong start to the game, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into several superb stops, the first from a Goncalo Ramos drive. But the best chance came to David Neres, who saw his attempt swiped away by a strong Donnarumma hand.
Soon after, PSG made it 1-0 against the run of play. After superb interplay between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, the ball was played into Lionel Messi’s direction. And the little magician struck a beautiful first-time curling effort past Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and into the back of the net.
However, Benfica restored parity inside the first half, hitting back in the 41st minute when an enticing in-swinging cross from Enzo Fernandez deflected off PSG defender Danilo Pereira and past Donnarumma into the net.
PSG came out firing in the second period but were stopped by a resolute Benfica backline. Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappe had the best opportunities but could not find the back of the net. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, and The Hard Tackle runs the rule over Christophe Galtier’s men after an intriguing encounter in Lisbon.
It ends 1⃣-1⃣ in Lisbon. 🔚#UCL | #SLBPSG pic.twitter.com/Sf9r7u0Qvb
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 5, 2022
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 8/10
An excellent shot-stopping display from Donnarumma, who was busy throughout the 90 minutes. But he also played a key role in ensuring PSG remained in the game.
Benfica cut open PSG’s rearguard on multiple occasions and created many high-quality scoring opportunities. But the Italian goalkeeper was like a rock in front of the goal and pulled out several crucial saves, with Goncalo Ramos, David Neres, and Antonio Silva all denied by Donnarumma. Indeed, it took an unlucky deflection from his own defender for him to concede a goal.
Sergio Ramos: 5/10
Ramos did not have a good game, and this was far from a commanding display from the former Real Madrid captain. He won just one of his five contested duels, made three clearances and one interception. While his movement and distribution were okay, he played some questionable passes across to Danilo that were almost intercepted by the Benfica press.
Marquinhos: 6/10
Marquinhos was the anchor in PSG’s defence that had their hands full by Benfica’s onslaught. He did well to off-balance Ramos while taking a shot, but he was caught off guard by a cross from the left wing in the build-up to Benfica’s goal. The Brazilian won seven of his 11 duels, completed three clearances and one tackle.
Danilo Pereira: 4/10
Danilo Pereira has done an excellent job of adjusting to the centre-back position and making it his own in recent games. But this was a disaster-class, error-strewn performance from the former FC Porto man.
He looked nervy and shaky passing around his box throughout the game. While that was not all his fault with Ramos’s passes playing him into trouble, he was responsible for gifting the Benfica an own-goal towards the end of the first-half. He thus salvaged a point for Benfica, flicking a teasing in-swinger past a helpless Donnarumma with his head.
Achraf Hakimi: 6/10
The Moroccan right-back had a decent enough performance as he made good runs using his pace and the space provided to him while also making good combinations. Hakimi was lively on the right flank with his overlaps and almost made it 2-1, firing his attempt straight at the Benfica keeper.
Vitinha: 7/10
Vitinha put in a decent performance in midfield alongside Marco Verratti. He was a proactive presser and helped PSG move the ball upfield with his progressive passing and raking long balls.
Marco Verratti: 7/10
Verratti looked composed on the ball but failed to exercise the kind of control over the game that PSG usually do. And at times, the midfield pivot looked overwhelmed by Benfica press. Still, the Italian midfielder was excellent in possession, showcasing some nice touches and passing between the lines. He attempted 102 passes with 91% accuracy while also putting in a defensive shift, making no fewer than five tackles and winning 13 of his 20 contested duels.
Nuno Mendes: 6/10
Mendes took up advanced positions high up the pitch but had little influence in the first half. Overall, he played well before being forced off in the second half with an injury.
Lionel Messi: 8.5/10
Lionel Messi's game by numbers vs. Benfica:
100% take-ons completed
100% aerial duels won
100% duels won
7 duels
5 take-ons
3 chances created
2 shots
1 goalTeam No.40 crossed off. #UCL pic.twitter.com/QwZutHoLQa
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 5, 2022
Messi, the player to watch in our preview, was in his own groove, dribbling past opponents with flair and elegance. He looked hungry to score and was rewarded with a well-worked goal as he put PSG ahead after 22 minutes with a curler from the edge of the box.
Messi won all seven of his duels and made three key passes. He completed all five of his dribbles, which is exceptional production from a 35-year-old. Man of the match.
Neymar: 7/10
🇧🇷 Imagine if Neymar scored this!#UCL pic.twitter.com/6Gs0fyhDOt
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 5, 2022
The Brazilian forward was heavily involved in the game. He combined well with his teammates and dribbled with flair. With a brilliant lay-off, he assisted Messi’s opener and was denied a breathtaking attempt in the second half when his acrobatic overhead kick smacked the crossbar. He also put the Benfica goalkeeper to the test with a decent free-kick. Won 8 of his 15 duels and completed four dribbles.
Kylian Mbappe: 6/10
Mbappe had a difficult night as he simply was not at the races and looked the poorest of PSG’s famous MNM front-three. Though he played a part in Messi’s goal, the 23-year-old had just one shot on target, a curling effort from distance denied by a diving finger-tip save from Vlachodimos in the second half, as Benfica’s defence kept him relatively quiet. He was also caught offside a game-high three times and was sloppy and repeatedly gave the ball away.
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappe vs. Benfica
• 0 successful dribbles
• 0 key passes
• 0 goals
• 0 assists
• 1 duel won
• 1 foul won
• 3x offsides
• 15x possession lost
• 0% take-on success
• 20% duels wonJust out there for the vibes 🧍♂️ pic.twitter.com/eqEAWOUb9p
— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) October 5, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Juan Bernat: 6/10
Bernat was substituted in to replace the injured Mendes and looked okay.
Fabian Ruiz: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Pablo Sarabia: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
