Atletico Madrid suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving Diego Simeone’s side thoroughly outclassed in Lisbon.
Bruno Lage’s Benfica secured their second win in as many matches, with Kerem Aturkoglu opening the scoring in the 13th minute. Former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria doubled the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half.
Alexander Bah added a third with a header from a corner in the 75th minute, and Orkun Kokcu completed the rout with another penalty late in the game. Atletico, who have won just one of their last 10 Champions League away matches, struggled to challenge Benfica throughout the match at the Estadio da Luz.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak and defender Axel Witsel had a particularly difficult night, returning to face their former club. After the game, Oblak admitted, “This was our worst game of the season. We didn’t compete, and that can’t happen. I can’t offer excuses—today we simply weren’t good enough.”
Atletico, fresh off a hard-fought draw against Real Madrid on Sunday, showed little of the fight they displayed in that match. Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes won the ball high up the pitch to set up Akturkoglu’s opener, and despite Samuel Lino hitting the crossbar with a stray cross, Atletico failed to create any real threat.
Vangelis Pavlidis came close to scoring a second for Benfica before halftime, but the hosts soon extended their lead after Conor Gallagher conceded a penalty. Di Maria converted the spot-kick, sending Oblak the wrong way. Gallagher later lost track of Bah, who scored from a corner, and Kokcu’s late penalty sealed the emphatic victory after Burnley loanee Zeki Amdouni was fouled.
Atletico will next face French side Lille at their home ground, the Metropolitano, while Benfica will host Dutch side Feyenoord.