Toulouse were stunned by Benfica Lisbon in the closing moments of the match

Brutal match for Toulouse. TFC travel to Benfica Lisbon this Thursday, February 15 for the Europa League play-offs. In a tough league this season, the Violets showed a better face during their European meetings. The win against Liverpool last November was a symbol of what this team can push themselves to exploit. In front of them, Angel Di Maria’s Benfica Lisbon, current leaders of the Portuguese Championship, who finished third in their group in the Champions League behind Real Sociedad and Inter, were relegated to C3. The step was not too high at the Estadio da Luz for Carles Martínez Nouvel’s men, who came very close to leaving with an excellent result.

TFC held the score at the break

The residents of Toulouse have decided to look the Benfica players in the eye. In this match, Carles Martínez Nouvel’s men were free early in the match and had some interesting phases of possession. They are also the ones who get the first strike of the match through Dalinga (9th). The Eagles then took control of the match with Rasmus Nicolaisen’s teammates settling into the half. TFC had a slow spell until the 35th minute, when Guillaume Restes saw Rafa Silva’s shot hit the crossbar. The Violets then tried to mount a full counter attack but technical errors and bad choices thwarted their onslaught. Although they conceded more than ten strikes, including a very dangerous last one (45th), Hauts-Geronnais showed a good face in the first half and showed a lot of intensity, often too much, as Spierings and Dessler were yellow cards. was found

A scrappy second half

Kiss repeat. TFC experienced a similar start to the second half. Returning from the locker room with great intentions, Gabriel Suazo and his teammates chained crosses and tumbles, to no avail. In the 55th minute, the Portuguese got back on the ball and took control of the match. Corners and balls in front of the area followed one another for the Lisbon team and the Toulouse defense finally broke down. On an aerial ball, Cape Verdean defender Logan Costa handballed into the area. Angel Di Maria, who was starting his career when his opposite number, TFC goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, was barely born, didn’t flinch to convert his penalty in the middle of the cage to make it 1-0 (68th). Close to conceding a second goal immediately on the volley, the Toulouse residents relied on their goalkeeper to keep them in the match, as is often the case. With a burst of pride, the Violets surged forward again and managed to break Benfiquist to blast the 3,200 Haut-Garonne supporters who had made the trip. Off a ball from Dalinga, Dessler found himself alone at the far post and was able to diligently place his volley into Anatoly Trubin’s narrow net for 1-1 (75th). And in the dying moments of the match, Benfica stunned TFC with a second penalty after Mavisa’s sole was disallowed for his foul. Di Maria, unpressured as usual, beat Ramens with a light shot. Brutal for TFC who lined up against the Portuguese. The meeting was a real battle, where the Lisbonites managed to win. The return leg will take place on Thursday, February 22 at the Toulouse Stadium.