Benfica 1-1 Marseille: Late Hatem Ben Arfa Strike Rescues Les Phoceens

Benfica 1-1 Marseille - Lineups/Statistics
Europa League - Fixtures/Results

Benfica were the slight favourites before the game as they were in top form and headed the Portuguese table. Marseille had a very good chance to cause an upset and show why they can be considered as one of France’s strongest clubs yet again.

The first half was a scrappy affair that was full of half chances and midfield battles. Neither side could take a clear-cut chance when the advantage was there for the taking. The second half was just as tight as the sides cancelled each other out with two late goals.

Both sided started the game quite nervously. The ball seemed to get stuck in the middle of the pitch as they battled early on for possession and space. Javier Saviola nearly ran through onto a perfect ball from Benfica’s defence but it was cleared easily.

The first real chance of any note fell to David Luiz. He found space to break into the area just outside the Marseille box. Unfortunately he was too far out for his shot to trouble the Marseille goalkeeper.

Marseille would have been pleased with the way they started. Both sides were committing a lot of fouls in the middle of the pitch. The away team put on some pressure and could have gone ahead when Gonzalez missed a headed effort from a corner.

It took a little time but they started to grab a hold of the game. Brandao was the next to go close and he really should have done better with an effort about eight yards out. He smashed the ball at Cesar who was able to clear the danger.

There hardly seemed to be an extended spell of pressure from either team. Benfica were next to go close through Cardozo. The Benfica man just could not generate enough power and movement on the ball to send it whistling into the right hand corner of the net.

Marseille then broke up to the other end of the pitch a minute later to define what the first half had been all about. They won a couple of quick corners in a row, which resulted in nothing more than scrambled attacking headers and poor defensive clearances.

Both teams had players mistiming runs only to see the linesman’s flag go up as the first half drew to a close. It was becoming clear very quickly that there would be very little dividing these teams at the end of the tie.

Benfica had obviously been rallied at half-time. They started the second half with a purpose that seemed to be lacking in the first period. Ramires hustled to find a little space from range and cracked an effort, which could easily have swerved in.

However, the away team very nearly pulled the wool over their eyes. The highly rated Niang poked an effort on goal for Marseille, which seemed to be rolling in before Cesar managed to get something on it. It showed the game was still in the balance while the score was level.

Although there was a lot more quality on the ball from both sides, there was still a failure to notch the first goal. Peixoto had an effort from long range but it went well wide of the mark and did not trouble the goalkeeper. There was half an hour left for someone to win.

Niang was so close to getting onto the end of a well-weighted and well directed through ball. However, replays showed that he was a matter of inches offside. It could so easily have been let go and the forward could have gone on to slot home.

There was a noticeable change of tone to the crowd as the match went into the last quarter of an hour. Benfica started putting together a few more waves of attacks. Di Maria and Ramires both went close within a matter of minutes asAgoias decided to pick up the pace.

Di Maria then missed probably Benfica’s best chance of the game. He had enough time and space to slot the ball into any part of the goal he wished. Instead he laced his foot through the ball and sent it flying over the crossbar.

Benfica eventually got their just rewards through Pereira just before 80 minutes. He broke through a crowd of defenders and managed to just nudge the ball past the on rushing goalkeeper.