Cody Gakpo keeps PSV alive with a nice goal against Benfica

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 10:52 PM• Dominic Mostert

PSV suffered a defeat in the first game against Benfica for a place in the group stage of the Champions League. The team of coach Roger Schmidt lost 2-1 in Estádio da Luz on Wednesday evening. At halftime, Benfica led 2-0, but a nice goal from Cody Gakpo keeps Eindhoven’s hopes alive. Both teams will meet again next Tuesday in the Philips Stadium.

PSV fell behind for the first time this season. In the tenth minute the ball came through Pizzi to Roman Yaremchuk, who in turn reached Rafa Silva. The PSV defenders always came a step too late and watched as Rafa Silva aimed the ball low into the right corner; Joël Drommel was a toe-length short to stop the ball with his outstretched leg. PSV then struggled to get to their own game. The visitors were unable to keep the ball in the team for long. Benfica put a lot of pressure and played compact in the back, making it difficult for PSV to fathom the axis of the field.

After half an hour, PSV seemed to be level with Eran Zahavi, who finished off nicely with the inside of the foot after a good attack. However, the attacker turned out to be offside when he was sent off by Olivier Boscagli. However, it was a sign that PSV came into the game a little better. This was also apparent from a serious attempt by Cody Gakpo from a difficult angle, where goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos had to save. On the other side, Pizzi hit the ball wrong when he received a cross in the penalty area and was in a favorable position to finish.

Drommel took a long shot from Lucas Verissimo from the top corner, but the subsequent corner did lead to the 2-0. The ball went to Julian Weigl, who was able to hit high from close range. A few minutes after the break, PSV was close to 2-1. After a sharp cross from Mario Götze from the left flank, Marco van Ginkel towered over his guard, after which Vlachodimos made a save on his headbutt. Not much later, the 2-1 followed, when Gakpo was given the space to make meters in the half of Benfica and searched the right corner from outside the penalty area with a low shot.

PSV managed to profile itself better in Lisbon and looked for the equalizer. Götze just couldn’t finish after a clever corner kick, after which goalkeeper Vlachodimos prevented Verissimo from working the ball into his own goal from close by after a cross from the right wing of PSV. Then another shot from Gakpo was turned by the keeper.