Pavlidis transforms into Di María: 'Everyone keeps talking about ketchup...'

Vangelis Pavlidis made a strong impression at Benfica on Wednesday night, delivering a decisive performance that secured his team’s victory in the first leg against AS Monaco in the Champions League play-off round.

The Greek forward showcased his clinical finishing ability with a brilliant chip in the 48th minute, sealing a 1-0 win at the Stade Louis II. His goal proved to be the only one of the match, giving Benfica a crucial advantage heading into the return leg next Tuesday at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.

Pavlidis has been in sensational form since the start of 2025, emerging as one of Benfica’s most reliable goal scorers. His strike against Monaco was his fifth goal in his last three Champions League appearances, further underlining his ability to perform on the big stage. In addition to his European exploits, he has also been prolific in domestic competition, having netted three times in his last two league matches. With eight goals already in 2025, he has surpassed his entire goal tally from the first half of the season, where he found the net only seven times. His recent scoring spree has drawn significant attention from the Portuguese media and has further cemented his importance in Benfica’s attacking setup as they continue their push for success both domestically and in Europe.

After the match, Pavlidis was asked about his sudden surge in goalscoring form and whether he believed, according to Ruud van Nistelrooij’s famous "ketchup bottle theory," that the goals were now flowing freely. The Greek forward responded with a laugh, brushing aside the comparison. "Everyone keeps talking about ketchup, but I just want to keep winning and scoring," the match-winner and Man of the Match told Sport TV after the game. "This feels good, it feels great to win, and I’m proud. But the tie is not decided yet."

Despite the positive result, Benfica coach Bruno Lage expressed his frustration that his team did not capitalize further on their opportunities. While pleased with the victory, he emphasized the need for a more ruthless approach in front of goal. "We are missing the killer mentality," Lage admitted post-match. "A second goal would have put us in a much stronger position, and we had chances to get it. We controlled the game well, but at this level, you have to take your opportunities."

Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola was full of praise for Pavlidis, awarding him a match rating of 8, largely thanks to his goal. "He deserved a 10 for his goal, a 9 for his effort, and a 5 for the rest of his game. Average: an 8. In the 48th minute, he transformed into Di María and struck the ball into the net with a brilliant touch of his right foot, as if he were a technician of the level of Messi or Salah a fantastic goal."

The report highlighted the elegance and precision of Pavlidis’ finish, stating that if Ángel Di María had scored it, the goal would have made headlines worldwide. Ironically, the Argentine winger did not have his usual impact on the match, as he was forced off injured midway through the second half. His absence weakened Monaco’s attacking threat and left them struggling to break down Benfica’s defense.

While Benfica celebrated their narrow victory, frustration boiled over in the Monaco camp, particularly regarding the red card shown to Moatasem Al-Musrati early in the second half. The midfielder received a second yellow card in unusual circumstances he was penalized for asking the referee to issue a second yellow to Benfica defender Álvaro Carreras, who had just fouled Breel Embolo. The decision left Monaco stunned, as they were reduced to ten men at a critical stage of the match.

Swiss forward Breel Embolo expressed his disbelief at the decision, suggesting that Carreras should have been the one receiving a second yellow instead. "That was crucial. In fact, their left-back should have received a second yellow card. Our player remained very calm," Embolo said post-match.

Monaco head coach Adi Hütter was equally frustrated with the call, questioning the logic behind it. "Did you see him walk toward the referee? I didn’t," Hütter told French media. "All that was said was that it could have been a second yellow. Of course, we have to accept the rules, but he was not aggressive at all. Naturally, we made mistakes ourselves, but the red card is very hard to accept."

Playing with ten men for nearly half an hour, Monaco struggled to find a way back into the game and rarely threatened Benfica’s goal. Their task was made even more difficult by the solid defensive organization of the Portuguese side, who managed to see out the match without conceding. The result puts Monaco in a precarious position ahead of the second leg, as they will now need a victory at Estádio da Luz to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

For Benfica, the challenge in the return leg will be to build on their first-leg advantage while ensuring they remain disciplined at the back. With the support of their home crowd, they will look to finish the job and secure progression to the next round. Pavlidis, whose confidence is at an all-time high, will once again be a key figure, as he aims to continue his impressive scoring streak and lead Benfica into the latter stages of the competition.

With Monaco feeling aggrieved by refereeing decisions and Benfica determined to maintain their momentum, the second leg promises to be an intense battle. Benfica holds the upper hand, but as Pavlidis himself acknowledged, the tie is far from over.