Goncalo Ramos scored a brace to help Benfica produce one of the football results of the weekend in the Champions League. Rafa Silva dribbled past two players and sent a left-foot strike into the net in the 38th minute before Ramos scored on either side of the break. Joao Mario scored a penalty in the 71st minute, and substitute David Neres added a fifth six minutes later. Brugge’s late consolation goal came from Bjorn Meijer, who has now won only two games in 12 under Parker.
Benfica was in command from the outset, holding a two-goal advantage from the previous leg, and finally opened the scoring when Ramos crossed from the left and Silva scored at the far post. In first-half stoppage time, Ramos extended the lead by beating several players and blasting the ball home from within the box. Just after halftime, the in-form striker scored again to become the youngest Portuguese player to score twice in a knockout stage encounter.
Mario added a fourth goal in the 71st minute after Abakar Sylla scythed down Gilberto, and Neres capped the scoring for the hosts from within the box, with VAR awarding the goal after an offside flag was raised. With a first-time strike that struck the top corner, Meijer scored a remarkable consolation goal for Brugge.
“It’s been difficult for me, but the players have been fantastic and have done everything they can to turn things around,” Club Brugge head coach Scott Parker said. “I understand why people are skeptical of (me); I’m not foolish enough to believe otherwise (think that). All I can say is that I’m working hard to turn this around and build a winning team. You’ve approached the wrong person.”
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