Benfica 3-3 AS Monaco: Orkun Kökçü’s late equaliser ends Monaco fightback in dramatic finale (Agg 4-3)

Orkun Kökçü was the hero for Benfica in a Champions League classic in Lisbon, producing a clinical finish in the 84th minute to make it 3-3 on the night and give the Portuguese side a 4-3 aggregate win against an extremely lively AS Monaco.

Kerem Aktürkoglu opened the scoring against the run of play on 22 minutes after terrific work from Vangelis Pavlidis, putting Benfica 1-0 up on the night and two ahead on aggregate.

But it was the visitors who were the better side for much of the night, hitting the woodwork and creating a number of chances in a lively first-half display, with Takumi Minamino getting them back in the contest before the break.

Monaco went ahead on the night shortly into the second half thanks to an excellent finish from the influential Eliesse Ben Seghir, and the French side continued to threaten for much of the 90. But an already entertaining tie stepped up a level in a dramatic conclusion to the game.

Pavlidis drew Benfica level on the night from the spot in the 76th minute, only for substitute George Ilenikhena to put Monaco back level on aggregate just seconds after coming on with an 81st-minute strike on the counter. Yet the drama kept coming, with Kökçü putting Benfica back in the driver’s seat just three minutes later, injuring himself in the process of scoring what turned out to be the winner.

A lengthy VAR check for a possible penalty to Benfica ensured that seven minutes of additional time ran through to almost ten as Monaco threw everything at the game late on, but it wasn’t to be as the game ended 3-3 on the night, with the home fans celebrating a hard-earned 4-3 aggregate win to set up a meeting with either Liverpool or Barcelona in the next round.

It's been a stunning night in the UEFA Champions League, with Feyenoord knocking out AC Milan in the early kick-off, Club Brugge running riot at Atalanta, and Bayern Munich equalising late to break Celtic hearts.

AS Monaco were the better team for much of the game, but it is Benfica who progress and this is how they won it:

All the details on how to watch and live stream the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in the UK on TNT Sports and discovery+. Arne Slot's side will be hoping to take another step towards the Premier League title when they travel to Villa Park in a tantalising clash with Unai Emery's side. Villa will also be hoping to bolster their European qualification aspirations.

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Benfica are through to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League after surviving a huge test against an AS Monaco side who caused problems throughout in a pulsating 3-3 draw.

The Portuguese club will face either Barcelona or Liverpool in the round of 16, and they will find out which of those they will face in Friday’s draw.

The final whistle goes and the home crowd erupt. Benfica have survived an almighty scare in a phenomenal match. It ends 3-3 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate.

Monaco pump the ball long and keep the ball alive to win a corner. This must be the last of the action…

The chants are echoing around the stadium as Benfica’s fans look to urge their side on towards full time. In theory we have just seconds of the game remaining, but there should be a few more minutes to play after that lengthy stoppage.

It’s an extremely long check from VAR about whether this is a penalty or not. After almost three minutes of review the referee is called to the screen. Replays suggest that Diatta got a stud on the ball and he was the player that was kicked... and the referee agrees, overruling his own decision. No penalty.

The referee points to the spot as Dahl goes down in the box after a challenge by Diatta. The defender is furious and some of his Monaco teammates take him away from the referee in case he says something to extend the punishment. VAR are checking it.

The fourth official’s board says seven minutes of added time. Can Monaco provide another twist in this tale?

They’ve come from behind repeatedly tonight, but Monaco need to find another breakthrough if they are to keep their European journey alive.

Kökçü looked like he pulled his hamstring in the act of scoring that goal and he is unable to continue. Belotti and Rego come on, with Pavlidis also making way.

Pure drama in Lisbon as Benfica snatch the lead in the tie! They keep the ball alive and a low dinked cross into the box from Carreras is beautifully finished by Orkun Kökçü, whose run had lost the attention of his markers. 3-3 on the night, 4-3 on aggregate, and Benfica are going through as it stands. At this rate though, who knows!?

Just seconds after coming on George Ilenikhena is mobbed by his teammates after shrugging off Otamendi, breaking into the box and hammering a shot through the keeper, who really should do better. It’s 3-2 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate. What a game this is!

The visitors need a goal and fast and they make a pair of changes, bringing on Ilenikhena and Ouattara.

Benfica’s main man steps up and hammers home from the spot to make it seven Champions League goals in ten games this season. Benfica are back ahead and the crowd are bouncing! 2-2 (3-2)!

The ref steps away from the screen and points to the spot. Kehrer protests but that looked like a foul and Benfica have been handed the chance to go back ahead on aggregate.

A Benfica shot flies over the bar but Benfica are appealing for a penalty in the build-up and VAR is taking a look. Replays suggest that Kehrer caught the heel of Aursnes as he attempted to clear the ball. The ref has been called to the screen…

Amdouni is late into a challenge trying to win the ball back in the final third and goes straight into the book.