Benfica beat AC Milan 2-0 at San Siro: stats and stars
The latest stories
Italy, Nearly 70 Pre-Selections for Mancini: Squad List Announced Tomorrow, Spotlight on a New Generation
17 Sept 2026
Pure Class Raphinha
17 Sept 2026
Serie A has 14 players in the top 50, but only five are Italian
17 Sept 2026
From Robbery to DiaLise: Can Bayern’s new wing duo create their own legacy?
17 Sept 2026
Estudiantes oust Corinthians in Libertadores
17 Sept 2026
Barcelona 7-2 Real Racing Club: Raphinha hat-trick and big numbers
16 Sept 2026Benfica beat AC Milan 2-0 at San Siro: stats and stars
Benfica opened their UEFA Europa League campaign with a statement away win, beating AC Milan 2-0 at San Siro. The visitors scored in each half and then leaned on a superb goalkeeping display to manage the game. If you want the full event timeline and player metrics, the match page on Sofascore has every touch and tackle logged. For broader context and upcoming fixtures across the tournament, head to the UEFA Europa League hub on Sofascore.
Key moments at San Siro
The game found its rhythm early. After an AC Milan booking for Strahinja Pavlović on 11 minutes, Benfica landed the first punch on 16 minutes. Dodi Lukebakio cut in from the left and finished with his left foot to the bottom corner, capping a rapid move started by a long Trubin clearance and a Jakub Kamiński assist. It came from a low-probability look too, with an expected goals value of 0.03 but a well-struck effort that carried real threat. Milan responded with territory and set pieces, forcing four first-half corners, but their final ball lacked precision. Half-time arrived at 0-1 after one added minute.
Rúben Amorim rolled the dice at the break, introducing Christian Pulišić and Mario Gila. Benfica, however, struck again on 53 minutes. Souffian El Karouani delivered from the left and Kamiński met it with a right-foot finish high into the net. Milan pushed again, bringing on Alexis Saelemaekers and Diego Moreira on 57 minutes and later Adrien Rabiot, but the final touch in front of goal kept eluding them. Benfica used their bench to manage legs and territory, with Leandro Barreiro and Gianluca Prestianni injected at 70 minutes. Four minutes of added time closed a composed away performance.
The numbers behind 0-2
AC Milan had more of the ball and more attempts, but Benfica made their moments count. Milan led possession 60-40 and attempted 17 shots to Benfica’s 11. Shots on target, however, finished level at 4-4, and Benfica’s quality on those looks was superior. Expected goals ended 0.99-0.62 to Milan, yet expected goals on target leaned to Benfica 1.00-0.76, a clue to where the finishing edge lived. Milan also created no big chances, while Benfica converted the one they fashioned.
Set pieces and territory skewed red and black. Milan won 10 corners to Benfica’s 1 and posted 73 final third entries to 44, with 41 touches in the Benfica box against the visitors’ 17. Crossing volume was there too, with Milan at 10 accurate from 27, while Benfica hit 1 of 4. But the duels battle went the other way: Benfica won 59 percent of all duels, 57 percent on the ground and 60 percent in the air. Defensively the visitors were cleaner as well, with 26 clearances to Milan’s 6 and 10 interceptions to 3. On this night, Benfica’s efficiency at both ends outweighed Milan’s volume.
Benfica’s defensive stand
The back line and midfield screen were strong and decisive. Tomás Araújo was immense with 5 clearances, 4 tackles and a last-man tackle, earning an 8.2 Sofascore Rating. Daniel Banjaqui matched the intensity on the flank, racking up 7 tackles, 4 of them won, in a 7.5-rated shift. Alessandro Circati added presence with 3 clearances and 2 interceptions and handled long distribution well. João Palhinha’s reading of the game told its own story with 7 recoveries, 4 interceptions and all 3 tackles won as Benfica owned central spaces.
Structure met transition on the second goal. El Karouani’s afternoon mixed assurance and ambition: 41 of 42 passes completed, 5 of 5 long balls and the precise assist for 0-2, earning him a 7.6. Further up, the two attacking standouts turned key touches into outcomes. Lukebakio posted an 8.1 Sofascore Rating with 3 shots on target and the opener. Kamiński delivered a complete wide performance at 7.9, producing a goal, an assist and 3 key passes. Together with the defensive platform, that was the balance Benfica needed.
MVP: Anatoliy Trubin’s night
When Milan did break through lines, Anatoliy Trubin shut the door. The Benfica goalkeeper finished with a Sofascore Rating of 8.7, the highest on the pitch. He made 4 saves, including 2 big saves, and posted 0.76 goals prevented, which is a difference-maker in a match Milan otherwise controlled territorially. His command of the box stood out with 2 high claims and 4 punches, easing pressure after streams of crosses and corners. Trubin also played his part in field position, completing 11 of 25 long balls and 20 of 34 total passes as Benfica bounced out of pressure.
There was plenty of proactive goalkeeping too. Trubin registered 2 accurate sweeper actions and 12 ball recoveries, reading the play cleanly behind a hard-working back four. He tallied 50 touches and rarely looked rushed, even as Milan intensified late. It was the kind of all-round goalkeeping display that lifts an away side in Europe and anchors a clean sheet under strain. On Sofascore, that blend of shot-stopping, box control and distribution fully justified his top mark.
Player of the Match
By Sofascore Rating, the best player was Anatoliy Trubin with an 8.7. The fans agreed too: Trubin led the voting with 1,459 selections out of 3,205 total. When the numbers and the crowd meet, you usually have your story.
UEFA Europa League
The latest stories
Italy, Nearly 70 Pre-Selections for Mancini: Squad List Announced Tomorrow, Spotlight on a New Generation
17 Sept 2026Pure Class Raphinha
17 Sept 2026Serie A has 14 players in the top 50, but only five are Italian
17 Sept 2026From Robbery to DiaLise: Can Bayern’s new wing duo create their own legacy?
17 Sept 2026Estudiantes oust Corinthians in Libertadores
17 Sept 2026
Benfica opened their UEFA Europa League campaign with a statement away win, beating AC Milan 2-0 at San Siro. The visitors scored in each half and then leaned on a superb goalkeeping display to manage the game. If you want the full event timeline and player metrics, the match page on Sofascore has every touch and tackle logged. For broader context and upcoming fixtures across the tournament, head to the UEFA Europa League hub on Sofascore.
Key moments at San Siro
The game found its rhythm early. After an AC Milan booking for Strahinja Pavlović on 11 minutes, Benfica landed the first punch on 16 minutes. Dodi Lukebakio cut in from the left and finished with his left foot to the bottom corner, capping a rapid move started by a long Trubin clearance and a Jakub Kamiński assist. It came from a low-probability look too, with an expected goals value of 0.03 but a well-struck effort that carried real threat. Milan responded with territory and set pieces, forcing four first-half corners, but their final ball lacked precision. Half-time arrived at 0-1 after one added minute.
Rúben Amorim rolled the dice at the break, introducing Christian Pulišić and Mario Gila. Benfica, however, struck again on 53 minutes. Souffian El Karouani delivered from the left and Kamiński met it with a right-foot finish high into the net. Milan pushed again, bringing on Alexis Saelemaekers and Diego Moreira on 57 minutes and later Adrien Rabiot, but the final touch in front of goal kept eluding them. Benfica used their bench to manage legs and territory, with Leandro Barreiro and Gianluca Prestianni injected at 70 minutes. Four minutes of added time closed a composed away performance.
The numbers behind 0-2
AC Milan had more of the ball and more attempts, but Benfica made their moments count. Milan led possession 60-40 and attempted 17 shots to Benfica’s 11. Shots on target, however, finished level at 4-4, and Benfica’s quality on those looks was superior. Expected goals ended 0.99-0.62 to Milan, yet expected goals on target leaned to Benfica 1.00-0.76, a clue to where the finishing edge lived. Milan also created no big chances, while Benfica converted the one they fashioned.
Set pieces and territory skewed red and black. Milan won 10 corners to Benfica’s 1 and posted 73 final third entries to 44, with 41 touches in the Benfica box against the visitors’ 17. Crossing volume was there too, with Milan at 10 accurate from 27, while Benfica hit 1 of 4. But the duels battle went the other way: Benfica won 59 percent of all duels, 57 percent on the ground and 60 percent in the air. Defensively the visitors were cleaner as well, with 26 clearances to Milan’s 6 and 10 interceptions to 3. On this night, Benfica’s efficiency at both ends outweighed Milan’s volume.
Benfica’s defensive stand
The back line and midfield screen were strong and decisive. Tomás Araújo was immense with 5 clearances, 4 tackles and a last-man tackle, earning an 8.2 Sofascore Rating. Daniel Banjaqui matched the intensity on the flank, racking up 7 tackles, 4 of them won, in a 7.5-rated shift. Alessandro Circati added presence with 3 clearances and 2 interceptions and handled long distribution well. João Palhinha’s reading of the game told its own story with 7 recoveries, 4 interceptions and all 3 tackles won as Benfica owned central spaces.
Structure met transition on the second goal. El Karouani’s afternoon mixed assurance and ambition: 41 of 42 passes completed, 5 of 5 long balls and the precise assist for 0-2, earning him a 7.6. Further up, the two attacking standouts turned key touches into outcomes. Lukebakio posted an 8.1 Sofascore Rating with 3 shots on target and the opener. Kamiński delivered a complete wide performance at 7.9, producing a goal, an assist and 3 key passes. Together with the defensive platform, that was the balance Benfica needed.
MVP: Anatoliy Trubin’s night
When Milan did break through lines, Anatoliy Trubin shut the door. The Benfica goalkeeper finished with a Sofascore Rating of 8.7, the highest on the pitch. He made 4 saves, including 2 big saves, and posted 0.76 goals prevented, which is a difference-maker in a match Milan otherwise controlled territorially. His command of the box stood out with 2 high claims and 4 punches, easing pressure after streams of crosses and corners. Trubin also played his part in field position, completing 11 of 25 long balls and 20 of 34 total passes as Benfica bounced out of pressure.
There was plenty of proactive goalkeeping too. Trubin registered 2 accurate sweeper actions and 12 ball recoveries, reading the play cleanly behind a hard-working back four. He tallied 50 touches and rarely looked rushed, even as Milan intensified late. It was the kind of all-round goalkeeping display that lifts an away side in Europe and anchors a clean sheet under strain. On Sofascore, that blend of shot-stopping, box control and distribution fully justified his top mark.
Player of the Match
By Sofascore Rating, the best player was Anatoliy Trubin with an 8.7. The fans agreed too: Trubin led the voting with 1,459 selections out of 3,205 total. When the numbers and the crowd meet, you usually have your story.