For the first time in history, Benfica achieved a brilliant 2-0 victory over Milan in the Europa League opening round. Despite dominating the game, the Italian side’s wasteful attack suffered a bitter defeat at the hands of a razor-sharp counter-attacking display.
Visitors Stun San Siro Early
Entering the match brimming with confidence under manager Ruben Amorim, the home team quickly imposed their game on the opposition. A midfield featuring Yunus Musah and Ardon Jashari allowed the Italian side to enjoy superior possession in the opening minutes. However, they were punished by a lightning-fast transition from the visitors.
In the 16th minute, Jakub Kaminski made a determined run through the center before delivering a clever pass out wide. Dodi Lukebakio controlled the ball neatly, shook off his marker Davide Bartesaghi, and unleashed a dangerous left-footed shot from distance. The ball found the bottom corner, rendering goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s diving effort futile, as Dodi Lukebakio put the Portuguese club ahead. This unexpected setback rattled the San Siro side, exposing gaps in their defense. Instead of finding an equalizer, they nearly conceded a second goal in the 24th minute; a disastrous misplaced pass by Jashari allowed Heorhiy Sudakov to steal the ball and fire a shot against the post, stunning the thousands of spectators.
Trubin Brilliance Denies Hosts
The biggest obstacle frustrating the home attack was the brilliance of Anatoliy Trubin. The visiting goalkeeper was incredibly focused, making excellent decisions regarding his positioning and pulling off a spectacular save to deny a thunderous long-range effort from Filippo Terracciano midway through the first half. His solidity between the posts gave his teammates the confidence to execute a deep defensive block.
In the second half, a similar pattern emerged as the Serie A side pushed their lines forward, pressing hard for an equalizer. Their best opportunity arrived in the 50th minute, yet Koni De Winter somehow fired wide despite having ample space inside the penalty area. The red-and-black striped team paid a heavy price for that wasteful miss almost immediately.
Kaminski Doubles Advantage
In the 53rd minute, Souffian El Karouani delivered a perfect low cross from the left flank. Jakub Kaminski timed his run to perfection, finishing coolly with a first-time right-footed shot to make it 2-0. That second goal effectively shattered the home team's fighting spirit and any lingering hopes of a comeback.
Tactical Masterclass Clinches Historic Win
Thanks to astute tactical adjustments by manager Marco Silva, the Portuguese side's midfield grew increasingly compact and disciplined. The substitutes introduced during the match successfully executed their task of completely severing the links between the opposition's lines.
Statistics show the home team enjoyed over 60% possession, yet their finishing lacked any real cutting edge. This humiliating defeat marked the first time in the Milan club's history that they had fallen to an opponent from Lisbon in European competition.