2-0 win! Champions League history made at Benfica

FC Red Bull Salzburg

·20 September 2023

2-0 win! Champions League history made at Benfica

Youngest XI in competition's history show their class

What an incredible night! We have taken a 2-0 win at Benfica to make a dream start to our UEFA Champions League group. Our boys have shown they can mix it on the biggest stage of all and see off one of the greatest names in football on their own patch!

The first goal came from Roko Simic from the penalty spot (15'). A red card to a Benfica defender helped us to build on the advantage, with Oscar Gloukh making it two in the second half (51'). We also had Alexander Schlager to thank for a flawless goalkeeping performance.

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The three points puts us in a perfect position after the opening Champions League matchday and has made competition history in its own right.

Match summary

We found a place in the UEFA Champions League record books before the match had even kicked off. Our average age of 21 years and 183 days was the youngest ever in the competition. A full six Red Bulls were making their Champions League debut tonight.

The bold selection paid off in spades. We surged forward with real spirit right from the word go with just the kind of verve our coach had been calling for. Our first attacking efforts led to a second-minute penalty as Anatolij Trubin punched Strahinja Pavlovic's head instead of the ball as he had aimed for.

Karim Konate had the unenviable task of stepping up to the spot in a hostile Estadio do SL Benfica – and he missed, unfortunately. These things happen - we just had to keep going.

The hosts had plenty to offer too, of course, with huge quality in the squad with the likes of Angel Di Maria & Co. Benfica wanted a penalty in the tenth minute when Dedic was struck in the arm, but the official decided against that. Moments later the post came to our rescue (12').

There was no need to panic, just to get right up Benfica ourselves and show what we are made of. Roko Simic pressed with immense intensity and gave us the lead. His looping shot was sent goalbound and Benfica defender Antonio Silva could only prevent it going in by handling on the goal line. It was a clear red card for the Portuguese defender and another penalty for us! This time Simic stepped up and converted coolly (15').

Roger Schmidt knew that his team had to take a riskier approach, and Benfica increased their attacking efforts substantially. Despite our one-man advantage, we had a battle on our hands to keep the lead into the break. Alexander Schlager had to keep us level several times, for instance when punching an effort direct from a corner from Angel Di Maria clear.

The proceedings quietened down a bit as the half went on, and we were delighted to take the single goal lead into 15 minutes we were eager to use for a breather ahead of the decisive final 45.

Gerhard Struber clearly used the half-time break to speak a greater sense of calm into the team - at least at the back, with out attacking efforts being every bit as frantic!

The second half was barely five minutes old when Simic raced clear of the defence on the break. The Croatian laid the ball across to Oscar Gloukh, who turned it in for 2-0 (51').

The Aguias were somewhat befuddled by falling two down. We kept on coming at them and had chances for a third before the hosts had truly gathered themselves.

When the hosts did manage to muster up a chance or two, Schlager was there to deny them time and again. Joao Nevens sent a powerful header on his target in the 66th minute, for instance, but the Austrian national goalkeeper was always in the right place at the right time tonight!

The final phase continued to be tense as Benfica threw everything at us. We kept the Portuguese champions at bay though with some sterling defending and we rejoiced with all our might when the brilliant result was confirmed.

The youngest Champions League XI of all time took three huge points - this is most definitely a side made for Europe's biggest stage!

Our next encounter in the UEFA Champions League comes in two weeks on Tuesday 3 October at home to Real Sociedad. Tickets for our first home match of the group stage are on open sale in three-match package form. We simply cannot wait for it!

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We experienced some really magic moments today. To take an away win here was always going to take something. The performance that we offered made sure of it. I am extremely proud of the boys, for what they put out onto the pitch and the way they sharpened their mindset. It is an incredible moment, for me as a coach too, of course. I am just so incredibly happy for the club and for the team that we got a result against such great opponents. Roko is very difficult for any player to face, as he makes space, can control the ball well and wants to win all the little battles. We have developed him really well, and he just looks the part - it is so much fun to see him play like that!

Gerhard Struber

It was the case that we came here and were determined to get a result. We pledged to leave everything out there and keep that up to the very last minute. We saw what we are capable of today - we have to be very proud of the performance! It was a really brave performance in all regards. I'm happy that we took a win and that I could help a bit.

Alexander Schlager

It was an immense team performance! We were really determined as a team in the opening minutes and got two penalties right away. It was something new for me to play in front of so many fans and to have an incredible evening - that's why you play football!

Samson Baidoo

Line-up

Substitutions

Koita for Konate (59'), Sucic for Gloukh (72'), Ratkov for Simic (72'), Solet for Baidoo (72'), Piatkowski for Pavlovic (89')

Yellow cards

Gourna-Douath (21' foul), Baidoo (58' foul), Simic (67' foul), Koita (90+1' unsporting behaviour)

Injury news

Still out injured are Fernando (adductors), Bryan Okoh (thigh), Justin Omoregie (back), Lukas Wallner and Moussa Yeo (both ankle).