Benfica had chance after chance turned away in the first half by Portimonense keeper Samuel who had seven saves on the net and after coming off one of their biggest victories in many seasons over Barcelona during the week. Benfica looked to just run out of gas in the second half conceding a corner kick at the 65th minute mark. The loss is Benfica's first in a competitive match since losing in the final of the Taca de Portugal in May of this year.
Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and the 22 year old seems to have found his place in a front trio with newly acquired striker Roman Yaremchuk and Portuguese speedster Rafa Silva. Nunez has scored six goals in his first seven games and none more impressive then his brace performance against Barcelona in this past weeks Champions League, which caught the attention of many of Europe's top clubs. Benfica have already stated that Darwin will go no where during the season but can the club resist the millions that will be thrown it's way during the summer transfer months?
It is not expected that Darwin will keep up his torrid pace to start the season but a more consistent performance could see the youngster become the second all time highest player sold by the club when the summer of 2022 arrives. Nunez has already been linked with clubs, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter in the past week and it is likely that more of Europe's big names will be added as the season progresses. Darwin's age and field position could be worth a range of €60M-€80M, a hefty amount that Benfica could add to it's coffers and strengthen the clubs finances, but for now let us sit back and enjoy the performance of the Uruguayan who is slowly becoming Europe's most wanted man.
Benfica did not take long to show off their current in form front three of Roman Yaremchuk, Darwin Nunez and Rafa Silva, as Nunez opened the scoring for the home side just three minutes into the game with a great strike to the bottom left corner after taking a pass from Weigl. Benfica almost doubled their lead when Yaremchuk beat his defenders and got off a shot that was stopped by Barca keeper Ter Stegen. Barcelona almost brought the game level but a shot by Pedri just missed the bottom left corner. Barcelona dominated possession for the remainder of the half but Benfica kept the Spanish side an arms length away. Benfica did lose right back Valentino Lazaro to injury just at the conclusion of the half.
Benfica came out in the second half ready to attack and not sit back on the lead coming close just seven minutes in when Nunez caught Ter Stegen way off his line and rang his shot off the outside of the right post. It took Barcelona a while to get their composure in the half but Benfica continued to turn away the Barcelona attack until Rafa Silva doubled Benfica's lead at the 69 minute mark, smashing a Joao Mario rebound into the top of the net after a nifty one two pass in play between Mario and Yaremchuk. Benfica would then put the game out of reach after a VAR review saw the Lisbon club awarded a penalty when Gilberto's header went off the out stretched arm of defender Sergino Dest. Darwin Nunez would add his second of the game as Benfica took complete control of the game and handed Barcelona their second straight loss of the competition.
Top Stats
Benfica Barcelona
40% Ball Possession 60%
12 Total Shots 8
11 Chances Created 7
84% Pass Success 89%
12 Fouls Conceded 15
4 Corners 5
1 Offsides 4
6 Shots on Target 1
