UEFA Champions League League Stage - 1
Benfica 2 - 3 FT Qarabag
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
6' E. Barrenechea (G. Sudakov)
16' V. Pavlidis
Leandro Andrade (C. Duran) 30'
HT
C. Duran (M. Jankovic) 48'
↓ Leandro Andrade ↑E. Addai 66'
70' ↓ F. Aursnes ↑F. Ivanovic
70' ↓ A. Schjelderup ↑G. Prestianni
↓ M. Jankovic ↑O. Kashchuk 77'
↓ E. Cafarquliyev ↑T. Bayramov 77'
79' ↓ R. Rios ↑L. Barreiro
79' ↓ V. Pavlidis ↑H. Araujo
O. Kashchuk (A. Zoubir) 86'
↓ C. Duran ↑M. Qurbanly 90'
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Benfica
Goalkeepers
A. Trubin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
A. Dedic 
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
4
tackles
86%
duel win %
A. Silva 
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
36%
pass acc
6.6
rating
N. Otamendi
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
55%
pass acc
6.9
rating
S. Dahl 
SUNDAY LEAGUER
5.5
rating
5.5
rating
5
duels lost
25
poss lost
Midfielders
R. Rios 
STORMTROOPER
2
shots
2
shots
0
goals
0
on target
E. Barrenechea 
SNIPER
100%
conversion
100%
conversion
1
goals
1
shots
F. Aursnes
NPC
70
minutes
70
minutes
18%
pass acc
6.3
rating
G. Sudakov 
PROVIDER
1
assists
1
assists
2
key passes
7.3
rating
A. Schjelderup
NPC
70
minutes
70
minutes
24%
pass acc
6.9
rating
Forwards
V. Pavlidis
SNIPER
50%
conversion
50%
conversion
1
goals
2
shots
BENCH
S. Soares 
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
R. Obrador 
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
T. Araujo
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
G. Oliveira
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
L. Santos
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
L. Barreiro
CAMEO
11
minutes
11
minutes
6
touches
None
events
J. Veloso
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
J. Rego
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
D. Prioste
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
F. Ivanovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Prestianni
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
H. Araujo
CAMEO
11
minutes
11
minutes
3
touches
None
events
Qarabag
Goalkeepers
M. Kochalski 
SIEVE
33%
save %
33%
save %
2
conceded
1
saves
Defenders
Matheus Silva
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
7
tackles
76%
duel win %
B. Mustafazada
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
34%
pass acc
6.6
rating
K. Medina
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
45%
pass acc
6.2
rating
E. Cafarquliyev
NPC
77
minutes
77
minutes
37%
pass acc
6.3
rating
Midfielders
A. Zoubir
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pedro Bicalho 
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
1
interceptions
1
blocks
M. Jankovic
SWEEPER
2
cleanups
2
cleanups
2
interceptions
0
blocks
Leandro Andrade
SNIPER
100%
conversion
100%
conversion
1
goals
1
shots
Kady Borges 
ARCHITECT
4
key passes
4
key passes
0
assists
28%
pass acc
Forwards
C. Duran
SWEEPER
1
cleanups
1
cleanups
0
interceptions
1
blocks
BENCH
S. Mahammadaliyev
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
F. Buntic
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
S. Mmaee
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Dani Bolt
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
T. Bayramov
CAMEO
13
minutes
13
minutes
5
touches
None
events
A. Huseynov
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
B. Huseynov
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Chriso
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
O. Kashchuk 
CLUTCH HERO
0
goal time
0
goal time
0
impact
7.3
rating
E. Addai
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Qurbanly
CAMEO
1
minutes
1
minutes
2
touches
None
events
League Standings
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Qarabag Heists Champions League Shock at Estádio da Luz
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 65/100. Qarabag's ruthless counter-attacking exposed Benfica's defensive fragility in a five-goal spectacle that rewrote the script on European football's biggest stage.
The Upset Factor Takes Hold
Benfica arrived at Estádio da Luz as the home fortress, yet within 90 minutes they were undone by a visiting side that turned chaos into currency. Enzo Barrenechea struck first for the hosts in the sixth minute, assisted by Gregório Sudakov, and Vangelis Pavlidis doubled the advantage ten minutes later. The Intensity seemed controlled, Benfica's possession (53%) translating into early dominance. But football punishes complacency with ruthless efficiency.Qarabag's transformation began in the 30th minute when Leandro Andrade pulled one back, set up by Camilo Duran, whose movement had already begun to unsettle Benfica's backline. The Colombian forward was operating at a different tempo—sharper, hungrier, more clinical. His rating of 8.3 reflected a complete performance: one goal, one assist, a constant thorn in the Portuguese defence.
The Turning Point: When Qarabag Seized Control
The second half opened with seismic consequences. Duran struck again in the 48th minute, this time finishing a move orchestrated by Marko Jankovic, and suddenly the Balance had shifted entirely. Benfica's 14 shots (only three on target) became a statistical monument to wastefulness. They dominated the ball but lacked the precision to convert Stakes into substance. Meanwhile, Qarabag's five shots on target—from just ten attempts—told a story of lethal efficiency. Matheus Silva's defensive mastery (8.2 rating) anchored the visitors' backline, turning Benfica's attacking intent into frustration.By the 86th minute, Oleksiy Kashchuk sealed the upset with a fifth goal, delivered by Aziz Zoubir. The scoreline read 3-2 to Qarabag—a Surprise of seismic proportions for a side sitting first in the league table with 18 points from seven games, their form now reading WLWWW with a +11 goal difference.
The Data Tells the Tale
Benfica's 86% pass accuracy (408 of 477) masked a fundamental breakdown in transition defence. They were picked apart repeatedly on the counter, their possession becoming a liability rather than an asset. Qarabag's 81% accuracy from 432 passes proved far more economical. The xG figures (Benfica 1.38, Qarabag 1.52) barely reflected the gulf in execution—one team created chances, the other buried them.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
A Battle for European Survival
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 30/100. This clash at the Estádio da Luz represents a desperate scramble for the top 24, where the loser faces the very real threat of early elimination from the Champions League.
The Setup
As we approach this September 16, 2025 fixture, the Stakes could not be higher for two sides sitting on the periphery of the knockout phase. Benfica currently languishes in 25th place with six points, just one spot below the critical playoff line. Their Form has taken a worrying turn; after starting the campaign with two wins, they have slumped to three consecutive defeats. The home side’s Balance has been disrupted, and they must rediscover their early-season clinical edge to avoid a disastrous exit from the competition. Meanwhile, Qarabag sits in 22nd with seven points, precariously clinging to a position that would grant them a playoff berth. Their journey has been equally erratic, but they arrive in Lisbon knowing that even a draw could be a massive step toward securing their place among the elite. For both clubs, this is effectively a continental six-pointer.
Key Battle
Without individual Stars taking the spotlight in recent weeks, this match will be decided by the tactical discipline of the respective units. The battle pits the Benfica home midfield against the disciplined defensive block of the visitors. Benfica will look to dominate possession and exploit the wings to break down a Qarabag side that has conceded 13 goals so far this season. The visitors will rely on their collective transition play, looking to frustrate the Lisbon crowd and catch the hosts on the break when they overcommit in search of a season-saving goal.
Our Prediction
Benfica’s home advantage at the Estádio da Luz usually provides the extra gear needed in high-pressure moments. Expect the hosts to control the tempo from the opening whistle, though their recent defensive fragility suggests Qarabag will find a way through at least once. However, the sheer necessity of the three points should drive the Portuguese giants to a hard-fought 2-1 victory, hauling themselves back into the playoff conversation and leaving the visitors looking nervously over their shoulders.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes. It is a high-stakes survival battle with massive implications for the Champions League playoff race.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 2-1 win for Benfica, driven by home crowd intensity and superior possession.
Where are Benfica and Qarabag in the league table?
Qarabag is in 22nd place (7 points) and Benfica is 25th (6 points).
What is Benfica's current form?
Their recent record is WWLLL, showing a significant dip after a strong start.
What does this mean for survival?
A win is essential to stay above the top-24 cutoff and avoid elimination.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.