At the end of an unenthusiastic meeting, Inter Milan and Real Sociedad, already assured of being qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, left without a goal scored (0-0). Benfica has clinched the Europa League.
At the start of the top-ranked clash in Group B of the Champions League group stage, the names of the teams qualified for the round of 16 of the competition were already known. Respectively first and second, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan were therefore opposed with the challenge of first place. In the end, it was the Spanish club that managed to stay ahead (0-0). In the other match, Benfica snatched their ticket to the Europa League thanks to their away success against RB Salzburg (1-3).
Not much to eat for this match between Inter and Sociedad which took place at Giuseppe Meazza. Large domination of the visitors (62%) throughout the match, but as many shots on target as their evening hosts (two). A few rare moments of excitement, like this penalty offered to Real for a supposed foul on Kubo, before the referee canceled it after viewing the images (76th). And then in the final moments of the game with Martinez who struck just above the Spanish frame (90th + 5). The draw result is therefore profitable for Real Sociedad.
Di Maria at the origin of a crazy scenario
In this group B, the show was actually on the Salzburg side. Third at kick-off, the Austrian club started as favorites against a Benfica club which had been adrift so far in its European campaign and which it had beaten away 0-2 on September 20. Yes, but there you have it, the Lisbonites had clearly not given up and still believed in their chances of European qualification. Di Maria kicked off the hostilities with an opener after half an hour (0-1, 32nd), imitated by Rafa Silva just before the break (0-2, 45th+1).
Stung, RB Salzburg then managed to reduce the gap following a goal from Sucic (1-2, 57th). Everything finally changed in the 76th minute, when Koita’s goal was disallowed for offside on the Austrian side. And the Portuguese coup de grace was given in stoppage time through Cabral (1-3, 90th + 2), a goal which brought Benfica back to equal points (4) in the standings, but which also allowed the Lisbonites to steal third place in Salzburg thanks to this ultimate goal in the direct duel between the two teams. A small feat celebrated as it should be by Di Maria and his teammates, while their opponents could not believe such a scenario.
