Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

An injury to Belenenses' Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Monteiro forced the referee to abandon the game

Benfica game abandoned as opponents reduced to seven

Benfica's clash with Belenenses was abandoned amid extraordinary scenes after the Covid-hit Primeira Liga strugglers were forced to name a team of just nine players – including two goalkeepers.

Soccer • 27 Nov 21

Xavi's second match in charge of Barca ended in a draw

Champions League round-up: Barca held by Benfica

Barcelona missed the chance to secure second place in Group E in the Champions League behind Bayern Munich as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Benfica.

Soccer • 24 Nov 21

Ansu Fati got the winner for Barcelona to fire them into second in Group E

Champions League round-up: Barcelona edge back into mix

Barcelona moved above Benfica into second place in Group E with a 1-0 win at Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Soccer • 02 Nov 21

Champions League wrap: Wins for Barca, Juve and Bayern

Barcelona gained their first win in this season's Champions League after Gerard Pique netted in a 1-0 victory against Dynamo Kiev at the Nou Camp, while Bayern Munich and Juventus were also among Wednesday night's winners.

Soccer • 20 Oct 21

Darwin Nunez scoring Benfica's early opening goal

CL round-up: Barca's misery deepens in Benfica mauling

Barcelona have made their worst start to a Champions League campaign ever after a chastening 3-0 defeat at Benfica.

Soccer • 29 Sep 21

Morato of Benfica and Noni Madueke battle for possession

Benfica, Young Boys and Malmo progress in Champions Lge

Ten-man Benfica held on for 0-0 draw at PSV Eindhoven to reach the lucrative Champions League group stage with a 2-1 aggregate win over the Dutch side, with Young Boys and Malmo also progressing to Thursday's draw.

Soccer • 24 Aug 21

Cody Gakpo scored what could be a vital goal for PSV

Champions League wrap: Benfica edge PSV in first leg

Benfica closed in on a Champions League group stage berth with a 2-1 home win over PSV Eindhoven and 10-man Young Boys beat Ferencvaros 3-2 in the first legs of their playoff-round ties on Wednesday.

Soccer • 18 Aug 21

Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrate at full-time

Arsenal leave it late to reach Europa League last-16

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang laid to rest the ghosts of 12 months ago to score a late winner as Arsenal edged out Benfica to advance into the last 16 of the Europa League.

Soccer • 25 Feb 21

Arteta eager to 'protect' young star Saka

Mikel Arteta hailed the consistency of Bukayo Saka and promised to "protect" the teenager after he hit Arsenal's equaliser in their Europa League round of 32 first-leg draw against Benfica.

Arsenal • 19 Feb 21

Saka earns Gunners draw with Benfica in Rome

Bukayo Saka earned Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

Soccer • 18 Feb 21

The Gunners go to the Greek capital on 25 February

Athens to host Arsenal's Europa clash with Benfica

Arsenal will play Benfica in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie in Athens due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in the United Kingdom regarding arrivals from Portugal.

Soccer • 12 Feb 21

Arsenal look like they are off to Italy to play a side from Portugal

Arsenal set to face Benfica in Rome due to Covid

The first leg of Arsenal's Europa League last-32 match against Benfica will be played in Rome, according to media reports.

Soccer • 09 Feb 21

Gedson Fernandes failed to make an impact at Spurs

Fernandes flies to Turkey despite positive Covid test

Gedson Fernandes' loan spell at Tottenham has ended with the Benfica player, who has tested positive for Covid-19, taking an ambulance plane to Turkey to join Galatasaray.

Soccer • 01 Feb 21

Vertonghen suffered the injury during a Tottenham match against Ajax

Vertonghen suffered for nine months after concussion

A blow to the head in the Champions League semi-finals last year left Jan Vertonghen dizzy and suffering from headaches for nine months, and ruined the last season of his contract at Tottenham.

Soccer • 15 Dec 20

Late collapse sees Rangers reeled in again by Benfica

Rangers suffered another late collapse against Benfica as Steven Gerrard's side missed out on the chance to plant one foot in the Europa League's last 32 following a 2-2 draw.

Soccer • 26 Nov 20

Tottenham Hotspur's new signing Carlos Vinicius

Spurs bring in attacker Vinicius on loan from Benfica

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius on a season-long loan deal from Benfica.

Soccer • 02 Oct 20

Manchester City sign Benfica defender Dias for €68m

Benfica have reached agreement with Manchester City for the sale of Portugal defender Ruben Dias and signing of Nicolas Otamendi.

Soccer • 27 Sep 20

The defender had spent eight years in the Premier League

Jan Vertonghen completes Benfica move

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has completed a move to Benfica on a three-year deal, the Portuguese club has announced.

Soccer • 14 Aug 20

The attack on a major motorway between the club's Estadio da Luz and training ground followed Benfica's first game in three months

Two Benfica players injured after team bus stoned

A bus carrying the Benfica team was stoned, breaking the glass and injuring two players, after they had played their first game since the coronavirus halted the season.

Soccer • 05 Jun 20

Rangers' Ianis Hagi (R) celebrates his winner

Europa League wrap: Hagi caps superb Rangers recovery

Ianis Hagi delighted both his watching father Gheorghe and the Ibrox faithful as his double sent Rangers to a breathless 3-2 Europa League comeback victory over Braga.

Soccer • 20 Feb 20

Erling Haaland has become the first teenager in Champions League history to score in five consecutive appearances in the competition

Champions League round-up: Wins for Barca and Salzburg

Red Bull Salzburg thumped Genk 4-1 in Belgium to keep their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage alive and set up a final-game decider against holders Liverpool.

Soccer • 27 Nov 19

Joao Felix could become the fifth most expensive player ever after Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.

Atletico make €126m move for Benfica teen Joao Felix

Benfica have confirmed they are considering an offer of €126m from Atletico Madrid for 19-year-old Joao Felix.

Soccer • 27 Jun 19

Benfica's Joao Felix (c) was the star in Lisbon

Europa League wrap: Advantage Valencia and Benfica

Valencia scored twice in added-time to put one foot in the Europa League semi-finals with a 3-1 win over local rivals Villarreal at El Madrigal, while Benfica have the advantage against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Soccer • 11 Apr 19

Champions Lge wrap: Benfica win bad news for Liverpool

Liverpool will be placed in Pot 3 for the Champions League group stages draw on Thursday after Benfica thumped PAOK Salonika.

Soccer • 30 Aug 18

Champions League wrap: PSV leave it late. PAOK draw

Three away goals in Belarus handed PSV Eindhoven the advantage after a 3-2 win over BATE Borisov in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.

Soccer • 21 Aug 18