UCL: Benfica's 2-Goal Lead Slips in 3-2 Loss to Qarabag

Qarabag stuns Benfica with 3-2 comeback win in Lisbon

Benfica's early 2-0 lead wasn't enough as Qarabag stages an incredible comeback, winning 3-2 with Oleksiy Kashchuk's late strike.

Benfica's early dominance had waned, with Pavlidis' long-range strike sailing harmlessly over the bar...

Qarabag staged an incredible comeback to defeat Benfica 3-2, securing their first-ever victory in the UEFA Champions League proper. The hosts took an early lead, with Aston Villa loanee Enzo Barrenechea scoring a superb glancing header off a Heorhiy Sudakov corner in just six minutes.

Benfica extended their lead, but Qarabag mounted an astonishing comeback to snatch the win, ending Benfica's nine-match unbeaten run (W7 D2). The victory marked a historic moment for Qarabag, who celebrated their maiden Champions League win.

Ten minutes later, Sudakov once again played a pivotal role, delivering a perfectly weighted through-ball to Vangelis Pavlidis. The striker took the pass in stride and capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Behlul Mustafazade and Kevin Medina, clinically finishing the chance.

The match unfolded according to script until Portugal-born Leandro Andrade suddenly halved the deficit for Dynamo Kyiv. Marko Jankovic's free-kick created chaos in the Benfica box, and Andrade seized the opportunity to unleash a powerful first-time strike that found the back of the net.

Benfica's lead was precarious as Qarabag pressed for an equalizer. Kady Borges's strike hit the post, and Anatoliy Trubin made a spectacular save to deny Marko Jankovic's effort. Trubin was called into action again in added time, denying Camilo Duran's attempt.

The warning signs were evident, and Qarabag capitalized on them after the break. Duran scored a brilliant angled finish that clipped in off the post, expertly set up by Jankovic's pinpoint pass, completing an astonishing turnaround.

Amazing Qarabağ comeback 😲👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/C2HfrIdlEo

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 16, 2025

Benfica's hopes of extending their lead were dashed when Richard Ríos, set up by Andreas Schjelderup, hit the side netting with a close-range effort.

Qarabag thought they had doubled their advantage when Mustafazade scored, but the goal was ruled out by the assistant referee's flag, sparing Benfica's defense from further embarrassment.

Benfica's early dominance had waned, with Pavlidis' long-range strike sailing harmlessly over the bar. Qarabag's coach, Gurban Gurbanov, opted for a more defensive approach as the match entered its final stages, aiming to secure a historic point.

However, the Azerbaijani champions had other plans. Abdellah Zoubir's precise pass found Oleksiy Kashchuk, who fired home past Trubin, completing an astonishing comeback and securing a 3-2 victory for Qarabag, one of the greatest in their history.

Qarabag held on to secure a thrilling victory, dispelling any notion that they were merely participating for the sake of it. The win marked a historic moment for the team, as they claimed their first-ever points in the Champions League.

The loss was a significant shock for Benfica, who suffered their third defeat in their last 10 European matches (W5 D2). The dramatic circumstances of the defeat added to the disappointment, leaving the Portuguese side reeling.