SL Benfica 2 Rangers 3
A couple of days away from the Scottish weather in the great city of Lisbon and the thermometer nearing 20C, coupled with a game at Estadio Da Luz to watch Benfica play Vitoria Setubal (6~0 for Benfica) and finish off on the Monday watching Rangers Development side take on their Benfica counter parts at the Caixa Futebol Campus. What is there not to like about that.
When Cammy Palmer was fouled in the third minute twenty-five yards from goal Jordan Thompson stepped up to strike a shot just wide of the keepers left hand post. The home side replied with a free kick of their own from thirty yards and left of centre, from the cross it was nodded on and the ball bounced off the crossbar on the way over.
Jack Thomson then sent the ball over the top of the Benfica defence and the keeper raced from his box to clear from the onrushing Zak Rudden. Five minutes later Jack Thomson headed the ball forward to Cammy Palmer who played it wide left to Serge Atakayi, he passed inside to Zak Rudden who shot straight at the keeper.
Rangers then missed a great chance on the twenty-minute mark, the ball was worked to Andy Dallas wide on the right, he advanced deep into the Benfica penalty area before playing the ball low across goal to Zak Rudden at the back post but with the goal at his mercy he shot wide. Rangers next attack saw Jordan Thompson cross from the left and the ball went to Serge Atakayi beyond the back post, he looked up to pick out Stephen Kelly and his effort had the keeper stretching to tip over.
From Rangers corner Benfica broke quickly and a couple of passes saw them clear inside the right side of Rangers penalty area but the shot was straight at Aidan McAdams. Rangers capitalised by taking the lead just before the half hour. Serge Atakayi sent Zak Rudden down the left and his low cross into the box was converted by the unmarked Andy Dallas.
A slack, high pass from Cammy Palmer had Aidan Wilson under pressure and when he was beaten to the ball in the air Benfica were free inside the right side of the box but shot into the side netting. The home side then drew level when a free kick from wide left was delivered into the box and Zak Rudden diverted a header beyond Aidan McAdams for an Own Goal.
Straight from the kick off Rangers were back in front with Zak Rudden supplying the pass that sent Andy Dallas clear, he continued into the box to calmly beat the keeper. Rangers could have extended their lead before the break when Aidan Wilson switched play to Serge Atakyi wide on the left, he cut inside before forcing the keeper to save at the near post.
Half Time: SL Benfica 1 Rangers 2
There was under ten minutes of the second half on the clock when Benfica drew level in controversial circumstances. Their attack took them to the right hand byline and the shot from the cutback went across goal and was knocked into the net from almost on the goal line. With two Benfica coaches on linesman duty no flag was fourth coming despite the Rangers players protests. The home side then carved out a chance on the right hand angle of the box that forced Aidan McAdams to get down to his left to make the save.
Ten minutes later Zak Rudden and Stephen Kelly combined on the right to send the ball into the box where a defender cleared it to the left hand angle but only as far as Kyle Bradley and his drive forced the keeper to tip over. With eight minutes remaining Rangers took the lead, Dapo Mebude showed great tenacity to win the ball wide on the left, he passed to Stephen Kelly who switched the play to Serge Atakayi on the right side of the penalty area where he cut inside a defender before firing a shot across the keeper and into the far top corner.
With five minutes remaining Jordan Thompson played a one two with Serge Atakayi on the right side of the box and his shot forced a save from the keeper diving to his left. Benfica then threw everything forward including the keeper for set plays. Despite a couple of dubious free kick awards and six minutes of added time they failed to trouble the Rangers defence. Deep into injury time Mati Zata broke forward and his twenty-five yarder was parried by the keeper with Kai Kennedy following up to net from the rebound, only to be flagged offside by the Benfica coach.
Full Time: SL Benfica 2 Rangers 3
Rangers: Aidan McAdams; Kyle Bradley (Dapo Mebude 75 mins), Aidan Wilson, Lewis Mayo, Jordan Thompson (Mati Zata 88 mins); Cammy Palmer; Jack Thomson (Jordan Houston 58 mins), Stephen Kelly (Kai Kennedy 89 mins); Andy Dallas, Zak Rudden, Serge Atakayi (Zac Butterworth 85 mins).
Not Used: Kieran Wright (Gk)