Benfica will bring a 2-0 advantage back to Portugal after defeating Nice in the first leg of their third qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League (UCL), meaning the Aguias are now unbeaten in regulation time in their last 19 games (W13, D6).
After finishing fourth in Ligue 1 last term, Nice earned the right to enter UCL qualifying in the third round, facing off against Benfica in what was their first competitive meeting.
The Portuguese side are also entering at this stage of qualification, but having participated in the FIFA Club World Cup, came into this fixture with recent competitive games under their belt, and that sharpness looked to be on their side as Andreas Schjelderup came close early on.
However, Les Aiglons soon showcased a threat of their own, with Terem Moffi nearly capping off a quick transition.
An effort from distance 20 minutes in almost broke the deadlock, yet Richard Rios couldn’t beat Yehvann Diouf with his set-piece strike, keeping the contest scoreless.
With half-time looming, Benfica were once again causing the Nice defence issues, and only a terrific Diouf stop denied Vangelis Pavlidis the opener.
An entertaining half ultimately ended goalless, with Benfica needing a goal after the break if they were to extend their 20-game scoring streak in all competitions.
Nice’s last nine home encounters in European competition had seen both sides score, and they started the second period positively as they looked to keep up their end of the bargain.
However, with 53 minutes on the clock, the away side seized the advantage thanks to a brilliant searching cross from Fredrik Aursnes that found Franjo Ivanovic, who turned in on the stretch.
Diouf then had to be alert to keep out Ivanovic’s low drive minutes later, allowing Nice to regain a foothold in proceedings.
Nonetheless, the French side were unable to re-establish parity in the remaining half-hour, rarely troubling Bruno Lage’s backline, and after defending resolutely, a late flourish from the away side led to a second goal when Florentino unleashed a rocket from range, deceiving Diouf as it bounced into the net to seal a first-leg triumph.
As a result, Benfica head into the second leg as firm favourites, boosted by their record of progressing as far as the UCL knockouts in three of the last four seasons.
As for Nice, they will have an uphill task as they look to overturn a two-goal deficit that stands between them and a first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition since 1959/60.