Qarabag Creates A Historic Moment with Sensational Victory Over Benfica
A team from Azerbaijan had never won in the UEFA’s elite competition prior to Qarabag's memorable performance versus Benfica.
The visitors delivered a stunning comeback against Benfica to establish history and emerge as the pioneering Azerbaijani team to triumph in a UEFA Champions League main draw fixture.
Earning their place for the elite European stage for the first time in eight years, the team managed by Gurbanov found themselves trailing by a 2-0 deficit after merely 16 minutes following goals from Barrenechea and Pavlidis.
The Azerbaijan champions halved the lead on the first half’s midway point through a excellent Leandro Andrade finish before team-mate Borges hit the base of the post.
A short while after the half-time, the Azerbaijani visitors stunned the home stadium with the equalizing goal. Jankovic’s incisive pass found Camilo Duran and he brilliantly found the opposite corner on his maiden European outing.
Replacement Kashchuk got the historic decisive strike with just minutes from time, receiving the ball up with his back facing the net before converting expertly on the turn.
Qarabag players and staff dropped to their knees in jubilation at the conclusion after a victory that will be remembered in European football annals, with their last participation finishing with two draws and losses.
Next on the agenda for Gurbanov and his team is a home tie with the Danish side, while the Portuguese outfit make the journey to Stamford Bridge.
Connected Themes
- European Football
- UEFA Champions League
- Football
