Benfica, quarter-finalists last year, have already been eliminated from the Champions League

Benfica, a quarter-finalist last year, can forget about wintering in the Champions League after a heavy defeat in San Sebastian, Spain. Real Sociedad made the difference against the Portuguese with three goals in the first half, ultimately making it 3-1.

Due to the defeat, Benfica is still at the bottom of group D without points. Real Sociedad is assured of a place in the knockout phase with ten points, just like Internazionale, which won 0-1 at RB Salzburg.

Benfica coach Roger Schmidt, who came over from PSV last year, had to make do without the injured former Feyenoord player Orkun Kökçü and David Neres (ex-Ajax). Schmidt’s team was completely overwhelmed by Real Sociedad before halftime.

It happened after just six minutes. Benfica’s defenders all thought it was offside, but that turned out not to be the case. Mikel Merino was able to head in with complete freedom: 1-0. Five minutes later, captain Mikel Oyarzabal doubled the lead.

Halfway through the first half, Ander Barrenetxea scored hard for the 3-0, about which Benfica actually had little to complain about. In the first half, a goal from the Basques was also disallowed and Real Sociedad midfielder Brais Méndez shot a penalty against the post.

After the break, Benfica did something back with a goal from Rafa Silva, but that was it.

Internazionale needed a win with minimal numbers against Salzburg to qualify for the next round. Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal with a striking penalty late in the match, 0-1.

Stefan de Vrij came on for the Italians, Denzel Dumfries and Davy Klaassen stayed on the bench for ninety minutes.