Benficahas taken an important move towards the UEFA Champions League play-off round with a clinical 2-0 win over Nice in the first leg of their qualifying tie.
Goals from Franjo Ivanovic and Florentino in the second half strongly favoured Portuguese to carry back to Lisbon for the return leg.
Despite a goalless first half, the visitors dominated proceedings and eventually broke through in the 53rd minute. Fredrik Aursnes delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank, which Franjo Ivanovic met at full stretch to steer past goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf and put Benfica in front.
Nice had looked compact in the opening half, with Diouf making three important saves to deny the visitors. Vangelis Pavlidis posed the biggest attacking threat for the French side early on, but the hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Benfica backline.
Benfica’s control grew after the opener, and although Nice responded with some attacking intent led by forward Terem Moffi they couldn’t find the finishing touch. The visitors remained composed and punished Nice again in the closing stages. With just five minutes remaining, Florentino struck from long range with a powerful effort that beat Diouf to double Benfica’s lead and cap off a dominant display.
Franck Haise’s men tried to mount a late surge in front of their home fans, but were unable to convert their opportunities. Their best chances came in the final minutes, but Benfica held firm to protect their clean sheet.
Statistically, the Portuguese outfit’s superiority was evident. Benfica registered an expected goals (xG) value of 1.87, significantly higher than Nice’s 0.67. Their defensive solidity and attacking efficiency will give them confidence heading into Tuesday’s second leg at the Estádio da Luz.
Ivanovic, who joined Benfica this summer from Belgian side Union SG, delivered an eye-catching performance in the forward line. The Croatian forward recorded the most touches in the opposition box (10), the most shots in the box (4), the most shots on target (2), and won the joint-most duels (7) for his side — showcasing his impact in every phase of the attack.
Meanwhile, in another qualifying tie, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce suffered heartbreak on the road as Feyenoord clinched a 2-1 win in the dying moments of their first leg.
The Dutch side took the lead in the 20th minute through Quinten Timber, whose effort from inside the area deflected in at the near post. Fenerbahce responded late through Sofyan Amrabat, whose 86th-minute strike rattled in off the underside of the bar to level the contest.
However, Feyenoord had the final say. Anis Hadj Moussa scored a 91st-minute winner with a well-timed header from Jordan Bos’ cross, leaving Mourinho’s side stunned. Despite Fenerbahce slightly edging the xG battle (0.8 to 0.78), the result favoured Robin van Persie’s men, who will now travel to Istanbul with a narrow advantage.
