Series A

UCL | Benfica 3-3 Inter: Nerazzurri of two halves

Published

2 years ago

4:13 am

Inter managed a rare comeback from 3-0 all the way down to a Joao Mario hat-trick to carry Benfica 3-3 with Marko Arnautovic, Davide Frattesi and Alexis Sanchez.

The Nerazzurri had already booked their ticket to the knockouts, so might massively rotate the squad, together with a debut for Emil Audero in objective. The Portuguese giants had been all-time low after shedding all 4 video games, with Alexander Bah, Goncalo Guedes and David Neres injured.

These sides met in final season’s Champions League quarter-finals, so it was shocking to see Benfica struggling so badly.

It was the worst potential begin for the guests, as a result of inside 5 minutes a ball was floated excessive and Casper Tengstedt nodded it down for Joao Mario to attain in opposition to his previous membership. It was initially flagged offside, a choice overturned on VAR.

Benfica added a second when Kristjan Asllani was caught napping within the remaining third, then Yann Bisseck didn’t clear the roll throughout from the correct, permitting unmarked Joao Mario to show in from 12 yards.

It was the primary time in historical past that Inter had been 2-0 down in a Champions League or European Cup tie within the opening quarter-hour.

An Angel Di Maria half-volley flashed simply previous the far high nook and Marko Arnautovic didn’t beat the on-rushing goalkeeper when despatched clear by Davide Frattesi’s cross.

As a substitute, Joao Mario accomplished his hat-trick by bundling over the road from a yard together with his abdomen, as Francesco Acerbi blocked the primary tried cross and Bisseck didn’t intercept the second.

The one different participant to place a Champions League hat-trick previous Inter was Gareth Bale for Tottenham in October 2010.

Carlos Augusto fired over from a deflected Bisseck cross after which stung

Inter managed to get one again from a nook when the Bisseck header compelled a one-handed save, Arnautovic tapping in on the again put up. It was once more initially flagged offside, corrected by VAR.

Simone Inzaghi clearly gave them a powerful half-team speak, as a result of the Nerazzurri clawed it again to 3-2 when Acerbi’s cross from the left discovered a beautiful Davide Frattesi volley off the within of the left boot from 12 yards.

Bisseck flung himself in the way in which of the Tengstedt end after a speedy counter-attack, however when Inzaghi launched a few of the large names, they made a right away distinction.

Nicolas Otamendi introduced down Marcus Thuram inside moments of coming off the bench and Alexis Sanchez transformed the ensuing penalty.

Audero flew to palm a Di Maria strike over the bar and Benfica went all the way down to 10 males, because the referee modified his yellow card to a crimson after a VAR on-field assessment of Antonio Silva’s late lunge on Nicolò Barella.

Barella thought he’d gained it for Inter in stoppages, however a ferocious strike from distance cannoned off the body of the objective.

Actual Sociedad drew 0-0 with RB Salzburg, so Inter should win the ultimate match at San Siro, or the Spaniards will undergo as leaders on general objective distinction.

Benfica 3-3 Inter

Joao Mario 5, 13, 34 (B), Arnautovic 51 (I), Frattesi 58 (I), Alexis Sanchez pen 72 (I)

Despatched off: Antonio Silva 84 (B)

29-11-2023 20:00

MatchDay 5

Estádio Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Estádio da Luz)

Benfica

Inter

3 – 3

Participant statistic

1st half

João Mário (Help: Casper Tengstedt)		7′
João Mário		13′
João Mário (Help: Casper Tengstedt)		34′

2nd half

	53′	Marko Arnautovic (Help: Yann Bisseck)
	58′	Davide Frattesi (Help: Francesco Acerbi)
João Mário	72′
	72′	Alexis Sánchez
	76′	Juan Cuadrado
Morato	78′
António Silva	84′
António Silva	86′