In a stunning turn of events, Qarabağ FK secured a remarkable 3–2 victory over Benfica at the iconic Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on September 16, 2025, during the opening round of the UEFA Champions League group stage. This unexpected result sent shockwaves through European football, as the Azerbaijani side came from behind to clinch a historic win.

Benfica 2–3 Qarabağ FK: Champions League Upset at Estádio da Luz

Match Recap

Early Dominance by Benfica

The match commenced with Benfica asserting their dominance early on. In the 5th minute, midfielder Enzo Barrenechea opened the scoring with a precise header from a corner kick, giving the Portuguese giants an early lead. Just 10 minutes later, striker Vangelis Pavlidis doubled the advantage with a clinical finish from inside the box, making it 2–0.

Qarabağ's Resilience

Despite the early setbacks, Qarabağ displayed remarkable resilience. In the 29th minute, forward Leandro Andrade pulled one back for the visitors with a powerful strike from the center of the box, reducing the deficit to 2–1. The first half concluded with Benfica leading 2–1, but the momentum had shifted.

Second-Half Turnaround

The second half saw Qarabağ intensify their efforts. In the 47th minute, Camilo Durán capitalized on a defensive lapse by Benfica to equalize, making it 2–2. As the match progressed, both teams made tactical substitutions to gain the upper hand. In the 85th minute, Oleksii Kashchuk scored the decisive goal for Qarabağ, completing the comeback and securing a 3–2 victory for the visitors.

Tactical Analysis

Benfica's Approach

Benfica's early goals were a result of their aggressive pressing and quick transitions. However, their inability to maintain defensive solidity allowed Qarabağ to capitalize on set pieces and counter-attacks. Manager Bruno Lage expressed concerns over the team's defensive lapses and emphasized the need for improvement in future matches.

Qarabağ's Strategy

Under the guidance of coach Qurban Qurbanov, Qarabağ adopted a disciplined defensive approach, absorbing pressure and exploiting Benfica's defensive weaknesses. Their clinical finishing and strategic substitutions played a pivotal role in their historic victory.

Match Statistics

• Possession: Benfica 58% – Qarabağ 42%

• Shots on Target: Benfica 5 – Qarabağ 4

• Corners: Benfica 6 – Qarabağ 3

• Pass Accuracy: Benfica 85% – Qarabağ 79%

Final Thoughts

This unexpected victory by Qarabağ over Benfica underscores the unpredictable nature of the UEFA Champions League. Qarabağ's tactical discipline and clinical finishing were key to their success, while Benfica's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed. As the group stage progresses, both teams will need to reassess their strategies to achieve their objectives in the competition.