Benfica's play gets notice from Portugal boss

Benfica's fine form this season has caught the attention of not only clubs and fans across the globe but of Fernando Santos, Portugal's national team coach. Santos named his 26 man World Cup squad earlier today and he included three Benfica players, Santos called up striker Goncalo Ramos the Primeira Liga leading scorer and the nations highest goal scorer this season across all competitions.

Ramos was joined by midfielder Joao Mario who's game has gone to another level this season and who's inclusion was a no brainier as it fits Santos' style of play. The third Benfica player was a surprise choice as Santos called up 19 year old center back Antonio Silva, who was a relative unknown just two months ago and will now make a well deserved trip to Qatar along with his club mates.

Benfica to face Club Brugge in Round of 16

Benfica have learned their Champions League round of 16 opponents and it will be Belgian's Club Brugge who finished runner up in their group behind FC Porto. Benfica will travel to Brugge for the first leg of the encounter on either February 14, 15,21 or 22 and then host the second leg in March on the 7, 8, 14 or 15.

On paper this looks to be the best draw that Benfica could have hoped for to advance on but Brugge can not be taken lightly after defeating FC Porto at the Dragao 4-0 during their group stage encounter, while they also did not allow a goal in five out of their six group games the only one being a 4-0 defeat at home to Porto.

Benfica top group and await round of 16 opponent

Benfica turned in what may have been their performance of the year in a 6-1 drubbing of Maccabi Haifa in their final Champions League group game and pushed aside PSG for top spot thanks to an away goal tiebreaker. Benfica and PSG finished the group stage tied in points, goals for, goals against, goals differential and played to a 1-1 draws in both encounters. The decider for top spot ended up down the tiebreak list and went Benfica's way as they scored 9 goals away from home while PSG scored 6.

Benfica are now a seeded club going into the November 7 draw and will face one of seven possible opponents in the round of 16 with only PSG not a possibility. Benfica's potential opponents for the knock out round are Liverpool, Inter Milan, Club Brugge, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt or AC Milan. The club will now get a well deserved long break from European competition until February of next year when the competition will resume.