Takumi Minamino’s first-half goal against Benfica made the Monaco winger the highest-scoring Japanese player in the Champions League.

Japan attacker Takumi Minamino scored his fifth career Champions League goal, the most of any Japanese player, but Monaco were knock

Takumi Minamino set a new record for Japanese players in the Champions League with his first-half goal against Benfica, making him the highest-scoring Japanese player in the competition's history. His goal in the playoffs drew Monaco level but was ultimately insufficient to overturn Benfica's aggregate lead.

Monaco's Takumi Minamino netted his second goal of the French Ligue 1 football season and had two assists Saturday in a 7-1 demolitio

Benfica snatched a nailbiting 3-3 draw against Monaco on Tuesday to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate victory in the play-off round.

Benfica secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Monaco on Tuesday to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate victory in the play-off round.

Benfica came into the Champions League playoff second leg leading Monaco 1-0 from the first game in France last week, and despite a bright start by the visitors, when Kerem Aktürkoglu gave the Portuguese side the lead on the night midway through the first half the tie appeared won.

Benfica and Monaco meet again in the UEFA Champions League knockout round playoffs on Tuesday with the home side 1-0 up from the first leg at Stade Louis II last week. The winner at Estadio da Luz will meet either Barcelona or Liverpool in the round of 16 and the Portuguese giants will be the favorites thanks to their success in the principality.