The Champions League adventure ends for PSV. A 0-0 draw against Benfica was not enough to reach the group stage.
Portuguese wall
From first ball contact, PSV played with all eyes on the Portuguese goal. Benfica's five-man defense proved tough to break through. Through long passes forward and running ability from Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke, among others, opportunities were found in the Portuguese wall. The first big opportunity was right away for PSV. After a free kick, Ibrahim Sangaré was able to strike, but the ball bounced off a defender. Exerting high pressure proved to be PSV's feat. That way, they regularly recaptured balls and created dangerous situations.
Red card
In the first half, Cody Gakpo was the most dangerous man on the pitch. The striker was regularly able to beat his opponents with quick runs. The defense also joined in the offensive play. From the side of the 16-meter area, Philipp Max unleashed a dangerous shot, which preyed on Benfica goalkeeper Vlachodimos. Then it was André Ramalho who saw his effort go wide of the goal. For Benfica, the match became a lot more difficult. Defender Lucas Veríssimo was handed a second yellow card and had to leave the field. Against ten men, PSV showed equal chances. Madueke was able to look for space to shoot more often, but it did not yield a goal for the time being. The second half would be the crucial one.
Portuguese fort
The football battle continued in the second game. PSV became bolder. Almost the spell was broken by Eran Zahavi. Cody Gakpo was able to deliver a good cross after a run but the striker shot against the crossbar from close range. Then it was Ramalho who tried to surprise goalkeeper Vlachodimos with a shot from distance. An offensive impulse was needed, and it came in the form of Bruma and Yorbe Vertessen. Still, it was complicated to find space in the Portuguese fortress. Ramalho tried again with a blazing shot, but it would come down to the very last phase of the match.
The curtain falls
It came down to a final phase where it was all or nothing. A splitting pass from Sangaré gave space to Yorbe Vertessen, who lashed out savagely. Vlachodimos saved, the rebound was also for Vertessen, but the goalkeeper was unpassable. In injury time came a moment for Zahavi. The Israeli was allowed to take a free kick just outside the sixteen-meter area. The expertise of Zahavi. The kick had a fine curl but narrowly landed on a Portuguese head. Pass after pass fell in for the Portuguese's goal. Each time, PSV fell just short of cashing in on the moment. After a frustrating game, the final signal fell, and with it the curtain on PSV's Champions League aspirations.
