The UEFA Champions League match between AS Monaco and SL Benfica concluded with a narrow victory for the visitors, ending 1-0. SL Benfica's triumph was markedly influenced by their offensive efforts, culminating in a decisive goal by Vangelis Pavlidis just before the halftime, at the 47:45 mark. Despite otherwise being a closely contested match, Monaco struggled to create meaningful chances against a well-organized Benfica defense.

Monaco's minimal corner count of only 2 indicated a lack of sustained pressure in the offensive third, as compared to Benfica's 7 corners, showcasing their ability to maintain attacking momentum. This was further exacerbated by Monaco's inability to exploit offsides effectively, as they registered zero offsides against Benfica’s 3, hinting at a more measured approach by the visitors in breaking down the home defense line.

Disciplinary issues plagued Monaco, with three yellow cards and one red, critically hampering their ability to build and sustain play. The red card for Dennis Zakaria added to their woes, reducing Monaco to ten men and stifling any comeback attempts. While Benfica committed 14 fouls compared to Monaco's 10, their lower disciplinary tally suggests they maintained their composure effectively under pressure.

Ultimately, Benfica's tactical execution, marked by better utilization of set-pieces and disciplined play, was a pivotal factor in their narrow win. Monaco, on the other hand, must reflect on their inability to capitalize on opportunities and remain disciplined in future outings to avoid similar outcomes.

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