Bayer 04 Leverkusen finally claimed their first win of this season’s UEFA Champions League league phase, defeating SL Benfica 1–0 in a tense showdown at Estádio da Luz. For Tanzanian football fans who follow European football passionately, this match served as a reminder that even giants stumble, and even struggling sides can rise to the occasion on the right night.
Both teams entered matchday four desperately seeking their first points of the phase — but only Leverkusen walked away with all three.
Chaotic Beginnings: Missed Chances and Mounting Pressure
The opening minutes were marked by hesitation and fragmented play from both sides.
- Dodi Lukébakio nearly opened the scoring after racing onto a long ball from Richard Ríos, but his chip crashed against the intersection of post and bar.
- Leandro Barreiro, moments later, sent a promising header wide.
- Benfica pushed harder, with José Mourinho’s men creating more threats. Nicolás Otamendi came closest as his looping header grazed the crossbar.
Despite plenty of action, both clubs lacked the clinical touch needed to break the deadlock.
Leverkusen’s European Struggles Continue… Until They Don’t
While Leverkusen have been admirable in the Bundesliga under Kasper Hjulmand, their form in the UCL has been shaky. Their wastefulness continued:
- Youngster Ernest Poku was sent through by Ibrahim Maza but failed to convert.
- Benfica’s lethal finisher Vangelis Pavlidis, with 13 goals this season, astonishingly missed an open-net chance — twice. First, Loïc Badé blocked him, and later goalkeeper Mark Flekken stole the ball as he attempted to dribble past.
The score remained deadlocked, but momentum appeared to lean toward Benfica… until fate flipped.
Second-Half Twist: Dahl’s Error and Schick’s Redemption
Kasper Hjulmand’s substitutions turned the tide. Patrick Schick, who initially failed to beat goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, eventually capitalized on an unexpected gift:
Benfica defender Samuel Dahl attempted a header back to his keeper but miscalculated. Schick reacted instantly, nodding the ball past the helpless Trubin for the decisive goal.
It wasn’t pretty — but it was priceless.
Benfica’s Desperation and Ultimate Downfall
As minutes ticked away, Benfica threw everything forward. A frustrated Lukébakio fired wide in the dying moments, symbolizing their night: full of promise, short on execution.
The Portuguese giants remain winless, scoreless since matchday one, and rooted at the bottom of the table — a crisis that Tanzanian UCL fans watching from Dar es Salaam to Arusha won’t overlook.
Leverkusen Rise Into the Top 24
For Leverkusen, the win wasn’t just three points — it was a statement of revival. Their disciplined defensive display, combined with their ability to capitalize late, now places them within the top 24 of the UCL league phase standings. This could be the spark they needed to reshape their European campaign.
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Conclusion: Leverkusen Break Through as Benfica Collapses
In what was a must-win clash for both sides, Bayer Leverkusen showed grit, patience, and composure. Benfica, on the other hand, continues their downward spiral — winless, goalless, and running out of time.
For Tanzanian fans, this match was a perfect reminder of football’s glorious unpredictability. And as the Champions League drama continues, more twists await.
