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Dive into Bwin’s post-match review of Ajax 0-2 Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.
Benfica struck early with S. Dahl finding the net in the 6th minute, assisted by R. Rios, setting a tone of efficiency against Ajax’s building possession. Ajax held 62% of the ball and generated 10 corners, but failed to convert their dominance into goals as Benfica’s defence held firm through the first half. The game remained tight with no further scoring until late, as both sides made tactical adjustments.
Ajax pushed forward but a yellow card to W. Weghorst in the 69th added to their frustrations. With the game still in the balance, coach Fred Grim rolled the dice with a triple substitution in the 74th minute. Benfica absorbed the pressure and sealed the win with L. Barreiro’s goal in the 90th minute, assisted by F. Aursnes, capitalising on a counter. The result highlighted Ajax’s statistical edge without the finishing touch, while Benfica’s clinical moments proved decisive in a 0-2 victory.
Ajax dominated possession with 62% compared to Benfica’s 38%, allowing them to control much of the tempo and rack up 10 corners against Benfica’s 4, yet this failed to translate into goals as their attacks lacked precision. Successful dribbles favoured Ajax heavily at 70 to Benfica’s 30, indicating better individual skill in advancing the ball, but with only one assist recorded for Benfica despite their two goals, it underscores how the visitors made the most of limited opportunities. Cards were even with one yellow each—W. Weghorst for Ajax in the 69th and S. Dahl for Benfica in the 74th—without any reds, keeping the match competitive.
Substitutions saw Ajax use all five available slots, starting with J. Mokio replacing O. Wijndal at 60’, followed by a triple change at 74’ where K. Fitz-Jim replaced D. Klaassen, O. Gloukh replaced R. Bounida, and K. Dolberg replaced M. Godts, before R. Moro replaced Y. Regeer at 83’; this influx aimed to boost creativity but couldn’t overturn the deficit. Benfica, using three substitutions, brought on T. Araujo for G. Sudakov at 81’, Manu for V. Pavlidis at 90+2’, and R. Rego for L. Barreiro at 90+3’, helping them manage the closing stages effectively and secure the win.
The match’s opening blow came in the 6th minute when S. Dahl scored for Benfica, assisted by R. Rios, giving the visitors an early advantage that shaped their defensive approach. After a tight first half, Ajax responded with a substitution at 60’, as J. Mokio came on for O. Wijndal, but momentum stayed elusive; a yellow card to W. Weghorst in the 69th for a foul disrupted their rhythm further. Benfica’s S. Dahl received a yellow in the 74th for persistent infringement, coinciding with Ajax’s triple substitution—K. Fitz-Jim for D. Klaassen, O. Gloukh for R. Bounida, and K. Dolberg for M. Godts—yet the decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute with L. Barreiro’s goal, assisted by F. Aursnes, locking in the 0-2 win.
A flurry of late substitutions included T. Araujo replacing G. Sudakov at 81’, followed by Ajax’s final switch of R. Moro for Y. Regeer at 83’. Benfica then switched Manu for V. Pavlidis at 90+2’ and R. Rego for L. Barreiro at 90+3’, ensuring they saw out the game without concession. A good night in front of goal for the visitors underlined Benfica’s ability to exploit key phases despite Ajax’s statistical superiority.
Ajax lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, emphasising a solid defensive base with a lone holding midfielder to support attacking transitions, which allowed for high possession and dribble success through midfield partnerships. Standout roles included the forward line pushing for breakthroughs, as seen with players like W. Weghorst involved in key actions, while the setup facilitated width from the flanks to generate corners.
Benfica deployed a 4-2-3-1 shape, focusing on a double pivot in midfield for stability and quick counters, which proved effective in absorbing pressure and launching efficient attacks. Key partnerships in the attacking third, such as those involving assist providers like F. Aursnes and goal scorers like S. Dahl, highlighted their clinical edge in transitional play.
The Man of the Match goes to L. Barreiro of Benfica, whose composed performance culminated in the sealing goal in the 90th minute, assisted by F. Aursnes, demonstrating timely positioning and finishing under pressure. Though substituted off at 90+3’ for R. Rego, his contribution was pivotal in securing the victory, standing out amid Benfica’s disciplined display against Ajax’s possession dominance.
Recent Champions League matches:
Recent Champions League matches:
Ajax will reflect on this 0-2 defeat, where their 62% possession and 10 corners yielded no goals, pointing to a need for sharper finishing in upcoming matches. Their next fixture offers a chance to regain momentum as they return to action in the Eredivisie with a home match against Groningen.
Benfica can build on this efficient 2-0 win, marked by early and late goals despite lower possession, boosting their confidence in tight contests. Their next fixture will test this form further, with a game against tenth-placed Nacional in the Liga Portugal.
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