BRUGGE, Belgium: Benfica remains a dangerous attacking team despite losing Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea. Joao Mario scored from the penalty spot and substitute David Neres added a second goal with two minutes left Wednesday as Benfica took a step toward the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over Club Brugge in the first leg of their last 16 tie.
Benfica players’ superior technical skills were on display throughout the evening and they made the most of nearly every possession to create danger.
They could have left the Flanders city with even more room to breathe, but a bit of clumsiness up front cost them extra goals.
Joao Mario put the visitors in the lead after 51 minutes and Neres made the most of a defensive error to make it 2-0 with a low finish. “When you play the first leg of a tie away from home and win, it’s a very good first step,” Benfica coach Roger Schmidt said.