Georgiy Sudakov scores debut goal for Benfica and becomes a key player in the team
In the bright scenes of Portuguese football, Ukrainian footballer Georgiy Sudakov made a remarkable debut with the legendary Benfica.
The football world took note of his performance during the sixth round of the championship, where he not only appeared on the field from the very first minutes but also made a significant contribution to his team’s victory.
Lisbon’s team dominated their opponents — the ABC club — with a commanding 3:0 score, showcasing confident play and a high level of skill.
Notably, it was the Ukrainian’s first goal for his new club, transitioning from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Starting from the beginning of the second half, he was part of the starting eleven and seized the opportunity to score during a challenging situation.
Although his initial shot was blocked, his persistence and skill allowed him to score on the rebound, opening the scoring in the match.
This goal served as a crucial psychological boost for the team and a landmark moment in Sudakov’s career at his new club.
In the final minutes of the first half, he smartly played on the rebound and netted the ball.
After the final whistle, the team’s head coach named him the best player of the match, emphasizing his activity, technical mastery, and harmonious gameplay.
Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin also distinguished himself by maintaining a clean sheet, adding confidence to the team’s performance.
Currently, Benfica ranks second in the Portuguese championship after the fifth round, demonstrating strong performance on the domestic front.
It’s important to recall that this transfer was a vital step in Sudakov’s career—he was acquired from Shakhtar on loan for €6.75 million, with an obligatory purchase clause next offseason for €20.25 million.
Besides the main sum, the clubs will also receive bonuses based on his performances and 25% of any future transfer fee.
The player received the number 10 jersey and now shares a teammate spot with Trubin, who transferred to Benfica back in 2023.
This move illustrates Benfica’s strategy of strengthening its squad with young, promising talents while balancing experience.
Such success marks opening new opportunities for Ukrainian players and further showcases Ukrainian talent’s ability to perform at a high level in European clubs.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Karabakh surprisingly defeated Benfica, with Sudakov providing two assists in that match.
Another significant update is the appointment of legendary José Mourinho as Benfica’s new head coach, promising a new era for the club and elevating its ambitions on the international stage.