Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Benfica: Turkish delight for visitors as Akturkoglu and Kokcu earn win

An early goal from winger Kerem Akturkoglu and a superb free-kick by his fellow Turkey international Orkun Kokcu earned Benfica a 2-1 Champions League victory at Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.

Akturkoglu opened the scoring for the Portuguese side in the ninth minute, converting a cross from close range at the back post.

His compatriot Kokcu then doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark with a meticulously placed free-kick from 25 yards out, picking out the top-right corner.

Red Star reduced the deficit when Felicio Milson was played through and scored from close range four minutes from time, but they were unable to find an equaliser at the death.

FT: Crvena Zvezda 1-2 Benfica

Crvena Zvezda have now conceded 2+ goals in 15 of their 19 UEFA Champions League games.

This was their 15th defeat in those 19 matches (79%) – only Malmo have lost a greater proportion (83%) among teams to play in three editions. pic.twitter.com/n5d42WBiSM

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 19, 2024

Data Debrief: Turkish first for Benfica

Goals from Akturkoglu and Kokcu ensured this was the first time two Turkish players had ever scored for a non-Turkish club in a Champions League match.

Kokcu, meanwhile, is on his way to earning a reputation as a dead-ball specialist.

Since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, no player has scored more direct free-kick goals in major European competitions than Kokcu’s two, with this his first in the Champions League.