Benfica and Fehérvár met in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, with the visitors taking an 88-98 victory in Lisbon. To be fair, the result didn't come as a total surprise given how the game unfolded, though Benfica had looked solid in their previous encounter against Genève on Tuesday night.
The visitors found a way through when it mattered most, outshooting the hosts from beyond the arc. Fehérvár hit 11 three-pointers compared to Benfica's 4, which made all the difference when the shot clock was winding down. The hosts had nothing to do all evening in the final quarter, watching their lead slip away.
Where the game was really decided was on the boards. Fehérvár pulled down 40 rebounds to Benfica's 34, including a crucial 10 on the offensive glass. By then, Benfica's high line was picked apart, and the visitors could raise the tempo when they needed to without fear of being caught out.
Statistically, the gap was clear. Benfica managed 31 field goals and 22 free throws, but couldn't convert enough opportunities when it counted. Fehérvár's 32 field goals and 23 free throws, combined with their shooting from distance, proved too much for a side that has hit a wall in recent weeks.
The defeat leaves Benfica fourth in the standings after six games, sitting on zero points with five losses. The hosts had hoped to extend their unbeaten run, but instead found themselves in familiar territory — playing catch-up in a competition where margins are razor-thin.
