Benfica advances to Champions League last 16 after thrilling draw with Monaco

Benfica secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a thrilling 3-3 draw against AS Monaco, resulting in a 4-3 aggregate victory. The match at Estadio da Luz saw Benfica take the lead with a goal from Kerem Akturkoglu, but Monaco responded with goals from Takumi Minamino and Eliesse Ben Seghir to briefly pull ahead. A penalty converted by Vangelis Pavlidis brought Benfica back to level terms, and Orkun Kokcu's late goal ensured their progression. This match extended Benfica's unbeaten home record against French teams to 19 games. The encounter was characterized by momentum shifts and exciting plays, showcasing both teams' resilience. With this victory, Benfica joins Bayern Munich and Club Brugge in the knockout stage of the tournament.