Borussia Dortmund 2-2 (3-4 on pens) Benfica
Few would have thought this was possible after Borussia Dortmund’s Maximilian Philipp scored twice inside three minutes to set the German side seemingly on their way to a third straight ICC 2018 victory.
Yet, after their victories against English champions Manchester City and another big-spending side in Liverpool, they came up against the plucky Portuguese in Pittsburgh.
Events on the Heinz Field were certainly proof that there is much work to do if they are to close the gap on German champions and archrivals Bayern Munich in next season’s Bundesliga.
Highlights of the game
Benfica were initially dictating the game before Die Borussen started to take control of proceedings in Pennsylvania.
After 20 minutes the opening goal arrived.
World Cup 2014 match-winner Mario Gotze and Jacob Bruun Larsen teamed up before Philipp poked home Larsen’s cross.
Within two minutes, two of the same players combined to double their advantage.
This time Gotze, who has had a tough time since his life-changing moment in Brazil, was the main provider as Philipp volleyed home a second from his pass.
Indeed, he went close to completing a first-half hat-trick after good work from Christian Pulisic—the great American hope playing on home soil—who was one of two players to be substituted at halftime.
Pulisic was clearly the one most of his countrymen had come to watch and several spectators were on their feet every time the homegrown talent was on the ball.
He received a standing ovation as he left the pitch at the break for what proved his final taste of the action.
At that point, it looked pretty good for new boss Lucien Favre and his charges. He made several changes after the break, including a debut for loan man Achraf Hakimi.
Benfica, who surrendered the Portuguese title to Porto last season, also made changes, including their whole front three. They eventually halved the deficit within six minutes of the restart.
In an impressive second-half fightback, Pizzi produced a perfectly weighted pass to Andre Almeida and his spectacular first-time shot whizzed past new young goalkeeper Marwin Hitz from 15 yards out into the far corner.
After another flurry of changes for both sides, Benfica restored parity in a stunning turn of events that saw the SBOBETS odds fall through.
And it was one of the substitutes, Alfa Semedo, who struck the leveller just three minutes after entering the fray in what was Benfica’s debut in the International Champions Cup.
It was new signing Semedo’s first goal for Benfica and came at the second attempt, an expertly taken finish after his first shot was blocked.
Franco Cervi and skipper Eduardo Salvio combined with five minutes remaining, but the latter failed to connect properly with a header. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s English prospect Jadon Sancho curled wide as the game went to a penalty shoot-out.
Sancho, who impressed with goals and assists for Dortmund against Bayer Leverkusen late last season, is certainly one to watch.
And he did keep his cool to convert one of the subsequent penalties.
But it was left, most fittingly, to the Benfica captain on the opposing team to strike the decisive spot-kick as the Eagles triumphed 4-3 on penalties.
Key statistics
One of the most interesting ICC 2018 results we got from this game is that there were just 90 seconds in between the opener and second goal scored by Maximilian Philipp.
All 10 outfield players on both sides were replaced at one point during the 90 minutes. The total of 20 substitutions meant only goalkeepers Hitz and Belgian shot-stopper Mile Svilar stayed on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes and the subsequent penalty shoot-out.
The Heinz Field normally plays home to what the American public calls ‘football.’ It is the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Panthers. The Steelers are the most successful NFL team in history with six titles.
A crowd of only 16,171 watched the match, despite the stadium having a capacity of over 68,000.
This result ended Dortmund’s 100 percent record at the 2018 International Champions Cup.
What’s next?
Dortmund are now homeward bound as they turn their attention to a trio of home matches against Rennes, Napoli, and Lazio to complete their pre-season programme. The will return to competitive football action in the first round of the German Cup.
Benfica face Juventus at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison New Jersey where they will hope to keep the ICC 2018 betting odds swinging in their favour.
Dortmund, however, still lead the tournament standings with seven points from their first three matches.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
