In 1755 Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, was hit by a severe earthquake -so gigantic that it triggered a devistating tsunami. The disaster was so immense that both the tremmor itself, and news of it spread rapidly across the continent. Reports soon circulated of major European cities affected by the shock, from Lisbon and Madrid to Bordeaux in France and eventually to the Low Countries of the Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Haarlem and even the northeastern city of Groningen had felt the shock.
Readers of newspapers in Groningen learned how on a tranquil November Saturday the city suddenly began to tremble as water rose. For a short time, canals flooded and ships smashed against the docks. Mooring lines snapped and masts crashed into eachother. Dutch historian Joop Koopmans describes how ‘this strange phenomenon must have been the talk of the town.’
Groningen wasn’t the only city in the Netherlands, in coastal towns all over the questions regarding the unusual incoming tide and its origins arose. Before the end of the month, the true explanation for this sudden rise in water level was presented to the public: the earthquake in Lisbon had been so powerful that its effects had been felt across the continent. Similar reports were floated throughout the Netherlands about an earthquake from Lisbon so great that it had been felt in Madrid and Bordeaux.This earthquake -and news of it- had slowly made it’s way through the entire continent.
So what about the football? What does this have to do with Football? As any writer knows good things come in threes and yesterdays 2-1 victory for Real Madrid was the third time this season that Los Merengues and Benfica faced eachother in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Their first encounter, a blockbuster affair on the eigth and final matchday of the league phase, ended in a 4-2 victory for the homeside in Lisbon. Deep into stoppage time, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin rose to score a remarkable header, sealing his team’s survival in the competition on goal difference and leapfrogging Marseille- whose players had already begun celeberating their surival which were now spoiled. One extraordinary moment that will go down in football folklore in which Trubin not only rescued Benfica but also dragged down Real Madrid out of the top 8, and into the play-offs.
It felt almost scripted, then, when the draw paired the two sides once more. Adding another layer into this story was the touchline sbuplot: former Madrid manager José Mourinho facing his player, Álvaro Arbeloa, now at the helm of the club that had shaped him.
The plot thickened in the first meeting of the play-off round. Los Blancos traveled to Lisbon for the second time in three weeks. This time it wasn’t a moment of glory but a 10-minute window showcasing the most ugly and disagreeable side of the beautifull game. As the game was halted in the second half. The incident occurred after Vinicius Junior had opened the score in the 50th-minute of the game, cutting inside at the edge of the box and caressing the ball beautifully into the top-corner. The Brazilian made his way to the corner flag where he danced to celebrate in front of the Benfica fans. The forward was subsequently booked by referee François Letexier and a confrontation with Benfica players ensued including Argentine Gianluca Prestianni who, at one point, raised his shirt covering his mouth during the altercation continuing to exchange words with the Brazilian. Afterwhich Vinicius ran over to Letexier and informed him that he had received racial abuse from Prestianni.
The referee crossed his arms, implying he was activating the racism protocol, pausing the game. During this stoppage Letexier spoke to the two captains as Vinicius Jr decided to sit down on the bench for several minutes. After 10 minutes the game resumed with the Brazilian being whisteld and jeered by the home-fans every time he touched the ball. The game ended 1-0, with the scoreline being the last thing on people minds. The Athletic posted a total of 13 articles covering the game. News of the incident had sent shockwaves through the world much like the 1755 earthquake.
Last nights clash in the Spanish capital was no different. A 2-1 victory saw Arbeloa’s side come out on top, turning the aggregate to 3-1. Yesterday’s clash saw goals from Rafa Silva (14’), Aurélien Tchouaméni (16’), and Vinicius Junior (80’). Tensions were high as the game kicked off, with both a symphony of whistles and jeers filled the Bernabéu. The away fans clearly targeting Vinicius Jr. Benfica dominated the first 15 minutes of play, pinning Madrid down in their own half which eventually led to Rafa Silva opening the score. Benfica topscorer, Vangelis Pavlidis, turned provides as the Greek’s cross into the box was intercepted by Thibaut Courtois, the rebound fell straight into the feet of of the Portugese midfielder who had to improvise to finish into an empty net.
Going down seemed to jolt Los Blancos back to life. It felt as if all eleven players had been plunged into an ice bath. Within 2 minutes Trent Alexander-Aarnold cut back towards the edge of the box onto Tchouaméni who evened up the score with a first time strike, curling the ball into the bottom corner. It was almost as if the Frenchman meant to pass the ball into the net. A goal that reminded even Tchouaméni himself of former Madrid midfield metronome: Toni Kroos.
With this the roles seemed to have been reversed. Los Blancos pummeled their guest with a barade of crosses searching for Goncalo Garciá, who deputized for an injured Kylian Mbappe. After 32 minutes the ball hit the back of the net again. Once more Trent crossed it into the box, Goncalo beat veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi to extend the ball onto Arda Güler, and the tiny Turk poked the ball past Trubin. But the festivities were cut short because VAR ruled Goncalo to be offside in the build-up for the goal.
The second half turned out to be more of a slowread. With one of the most tense moments being a clash between Raul Asencio and Eduardo Camavinga. The two Madristas collided mid air whilst trying to clear a longball sent over the top by Otamendi. Asencio had to be strechered off to the hopsital but the club has confirmed that all is well and he is recovering. Then with 10 minutes left in regulation Vinicius Junior took on Amar Dedic. The Boznian showed Vinicius too much space and as Vinicius cut into the box he unleashed a curling effort into the top right corner, securing his team’s progress into the last 16 of the Champions League. It was a perfect conclusion for the Brazilian, who had been the target of the away fans’ jeering and whistling all evening. As he made his way to the corner flag he once again danced to celebrate. Baila, Vini, Baila!
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