Benfica beat AC Milan 2-0

The UEFA Europa League League Phase match took place on 16 September 2026 at the iconic San Siro in Milano. A crowd gathered to watch AC Milan host Portuguese side Benfica, with both teams eager to claim three points in the European competition.

How it unfolded

The game opened with an early disciplinary incident when AC Milan’s Strahinja Pavlovic was shown a yellow card in the 11th minute for a bad foul, signalling a physical tone to the encounter. Just five minutes later, Benfica took the lead. Dodi Lukébakio unleashed a left-footed strike from outside the box that curled into the bottom left corner, the move set up by an incisive pass from Jakub Kaminski. The goal gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage and shifted the momentum onto the Portuguese side.

Benfica’s own discipline came under scrutiny in the 26th minute when Souffian El Karouani received a yellow card for a bad foul, followed by another booking for Jhon Durán in the 37th minute for a similar infraction. Despite the cautions, the visitors continued to press. Their persistence paid off early in the second half when, in the 53rd minute, Jakub Kaminski found the net. He struck a right-footed shot from the centre of the box that finished high in the centre of the goal, after receiving a cross from Souffian El Karouani, who provided the assist. The second goal cemented Benfica’s control of the match.

The latter stages saw a flurry of bookings for Benfica. Daniel Banjaqui was cautioned in the 77th minute, Leandro Barreiro in the 84th, and Vangelis Pavlidis added to the tally with a yellow card in stoppage time (90'+2') for a bad foul. No further goals were recorded, and the match concluded with a 2-0 win for Benfica.

Standout performers

Benfica’s Dodi Lukébakio made the decisive opening strike, demonstrating composure from distance. Jakub Kaminski not only scored the second goal but also supplied the assist for Lukébakio’s opener, highlighting his dual threat in attack. Souffian El Karouani contributed the assist for the second goal, linking play from the wing to Kaminski’s finish.

Match facts

  • Final score: AC Milan 0-2 Benfica
  • Goals: Dodi Lukébakio (16’), Jakub Kaminski (53’)
  • Assists: Jakub Kaminski (16’), Souffian El Karouani (53’)
  • Bookings:
    • Strahinja Pavlovic (AC Milan) – 11’
    • Souffian El Karouani (Benfica) – 26’
    • Jhon Durán (Benfica) – 37’
    • Daniel Banjaqui (Benfica) – 77’
    • Leandro Barreiro (Benfica) – 84’
    • Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica) – 90'+2’
  • Venue: San Siro, Milano

What it means

Benfica’s 2-0 victory in the Europa League League Phase secures three points and a clean sheet at San Siro, while AC Milan depart the match without scoring and with a single booking, leaving both sides to regroup for their next European fixtures.