Qarabag stun Benfica with fantastic comeback

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Benfica 2 - 3 Qarabag

Qarabag staged a remarkable comeback in Lisbon to become the first Azerbaijani side to win a match in the Champions League proper.

Author | Ed

Stadium | Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Super News Football | Champions League | Benfica v Qarabag | Pre match scenes

Making their first appearance in Europe’s elite competition in eight years, Gurban Gurbanov’s team fell two goals behind inside 16 minutes after strikes from Enzo Barrenechea and Vangelis Pavlidis put Benfica firmly in control.

Leandro Andrade reduced the deficit on the half-hour with a fine finish before Kady Borges went close, clipping the post. Three minutes after the restart, the visitors stunned the Estadio da Luz when Marko Jankovic split the defence with a precise pass and Camilo Duran, on his Champions League debut, found the far corner.

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The decisive moment came five minutes from time. Substitute Oleksii Kashchuk collected the ball with his back to goal, spun sharply and struck past Anatoliy Trubin to complete an historic victory.

At the final whistle, Qarabag’s players and staff fell to their knees in celebration, savouring a result that eclipses their previous Champions League campaign, which ended with two draws and four defeats.

Next up for Gurbanov’s side is a home fixture against Copenhagen, while Benfica travel to Chelsea. There could be some significant changes at Benfica before that next Champions League night.

Super News Football | Champions League | Benfica v Qarabag | View from the stands

Mourinho to arrive next in Lisbon?

Jose Mourinho is poised for a return to management with Benfica after Bruno Lage was dismissed in the wake of this defeat.

Benfica squandered a two-goal advantage against the Azerbaijani champions, a collapse that proved costly for Lage. Club president Rui Costa confirmed they intend to appoint a new manager by Saturday, although he declined to comment on whether Mourinho is the leading candidate.

It has been reported by outlets including the BBC that Mourinho is in discussions over a move back to Portugal, 21 years after departing Benfica for Chelsea.

The 61-year-old has been out of work since being dismissed by Fenerbahce on 29 August, two days after his side were knocked out of the Champions League play-offs by Benfica.

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