Benfica took a giant step towards the last qualifying round of the Champions League on Wednesday evening. On a visit to Spartak Moscow, the Portuguese recorded a 0-2 victory. There is therefore a good chance that PSV will compete in the playoffs for a ticket for the group stage of the Champions League against o Glorioso, provided that the Eindhoven players themselves give the desired follow-up to Tuesday evening’s 3-0 victory over the Danish FC Midtjylland in the return.
Quincy Promes was missing from the team of trainer Rui Vitória, who is still struggling with a muscle injury. Jorrit Hendrix was given a starting spot in the center of midfield, and the former PSV midfielder was taken off the field fifteen minutes before the final signal, three minutes after the 0-2 score, in favor of Ezequiel Ponce. At halftime, the scoreboard still showed a scoreless score, which could easily be called a small miracle given the number of chances from Benfica.
In the 51st minute, the ban in Moscow was broken. Rafa Silva got the ball back from João Mário after a nice combination, after which the left winger saw his chance and the leather shot into the roof of the goal with conviction. Moments later, Gonçalo Ramos had an excellent opportunity to double the score after a corner from Nicolás Otamendi, but his header went just wide. Substitute Gilberto had the fortune on his side. The right back received a custom pass from Lucas Veríssimo and scored the 0-2 with his inside.
If PSV make it to the play-offs, it will start on 17 or 18 August with an away game. The return at home follows a week later, on August 24 or 25. PSV have played against Benfica seven times in the past, most recently in the 2010/11 season. The most important confrontation between the two clubs was the European Cup I final of 1987/88. PSV then secured the most important prize in club history after penalties.