Club Brugge wing-back Bjorn Meijer scored an absolutely fantastic goal during his side’s Champions League game last night. Unfortunately, though, it was simply a small consolation.
Meijer received a pass from teammate Tajon Buchanan on the edge of the box. After letting the ball run across him, the Brugge player let fly with an absolutely outrageous shot.
The ball whipped through the air with a touch of outwards curve into the far top corner. It was a goal fit to grace any Champions League tie – but ultimately came in vain.
Meijer’s strike was the Belgian side’s only goal in a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Benfica. On aggregate, the Portuguese side knocked Club Brugge out of the Champions League with a 7-1 scoreline.
Benfica run riot in UCL round of 16
Already brimming with confidence from their first leg win, Benfica demolished their opponents at the Estadio da Luz. Rafa Silva opened the scoring for the home side just before half-time to effectively seal Benfica’s place in the quarterfinals.
Minutes later, Goncalo Ramos’ superb solo effort doubled the Portuguese club’s advantage on the night.
The excellent Ramos then added Benfica’s third following the interval. This time, though, Alex Grimaldo’s pass put the chance on a plate for the young attacking talent. The floodgates were now well and truly open for Benfica to take advantage.
Things went from bad to worse for Scott Parker’s Brugge side when Abakar Sylla gave away a clumsy penalty. Joao Mario stepped up to slot the ball past Simon Mignolet, making it 4-0.
David Neres finally brought the onslaught to an end by scoring Benfica’s fifth before Meijer’s stunning consolation strike.
This emphatic victory sees Benfica reach the last eight of Europe’s top competition for the second straight season. In contrast, Club Brugge bring their Champions League campaign to a miserable end.
Their elimination also brings an end to the tenure of their coach, Scott Parker.
Scott Parker sacked as Club Brugge exit Champions League
The former Bournemouth manager only took over at the Belgian side in the New Year. However, things did not exactly go to plan.
Aside from their Champions League exit, Brugge’s domestic form has faltered as well. With Parker at the helm, they took just two wins from ten Jupiler Pro League matches.
Speaking to the media following Tuesday night’s UCL loss, the former England international admitted that he was unsure if his job was safe.
“I’m not sure, I’m not in control of that,” said Parker, via Daily Mail. “I understand why you ask me that question, it’s been aimed at me for weeks now. Now, that momentum has picked up – I can’t really control that.
“I’m not in a power position to understand it, and you are probably asking the wrong person. What I am is fully committed to trying to turn that corner around.”
Sadly, he will not get that chance to try and turn the team’s fortunes around. Club Brugge announced that they would be moving on from the Englishman in a short statement earlier today (Wednesday).
The Belgian side must now refocus for this weekend’s fixture – a crunch match vs Standard Liege in the race for a European spot.
Featured image credit: Getty