Benfica midfielder Joao Mario broke a 59-year-old record in Europe's top-flight competition with his contribution for his side in Tuesday night's big win over Club Brugge. The 30-year-old midfielder was on target as the Eagles cruised to an emphatic 5-0 win at Estadio da Luz, equalling Eusebio's record of scoring in five successive European games.
Ahead of the night's affair, Roger Schmidt side had a foot in the quarter-final after beating Brugge 2-0 in the reverse encounter in Belgium. It was a barely a contest at Estadio da Luz and first half goals from Rafa Silva and Goncalo Ramos put the host in the driver's seat ahead of the break.
In the second half, Goncalo Ramos got his second goal of the night with an assist from Alejandro Grimaldo before Joao Mario made history with his goal from the penalty spot. David Neres put the icing on the cake for Benfica and Bjorn Meijer was able to get a consolation goal for the visitors in the 87th minute.
With the goal, Joao Mario became the first Benfica player since Eusebio in the 1963/1964 season to score in five consecutive Champions League/ European Cup games. The Portuguese international has so far had a season to remember, scoring 20 goals and assisting 10 in 37 matches across all competitions.
Watch the goal against Brugge here:
¡Toque sutil a la red! João Mário cambió penal por gol y puso el cuarto en la goleada del Benfica 4-0 ante Brujas a los 70´.
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) March 7, 2023
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