Joao Mario made history with his strike against Brugge on Tuesday night, as the Benfica star became the first player since Portuguese legend Eusebio to score in five consecutive Champions League games for the Eagles.
Some players age like a fine wine and Joao Mario is a prime example of that, with the 30-year old showing no signs of slowing down as his career progresses.
Mario was one of four scorers against Brugge on Tuesday night, as Benfica comfortably saw their way through to the last 8 of the Champions League with a 7-1 aggregate win over their Belgian opposition.
No Benfica player has scored in five consecutive Champions League games since footballing icon Eusebio, with the legend’s record standing since the 1964/65 season.
João Mário is the first Benfica player to score in five successive European Cup appearances since Eusébio 🦅#UCL pic.twitter.com/JLtapM5wHc
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 8, 2023
There is not many players in the world who are more trusted than Mario over a spot kick nowadays and the veteran was on hand against Brugge yet again to convert from 12 yards.
Mario’s goal was the fourth of five in a Benfica masterclass that saw the Eagles fly through to the last eight of the competition with a 7-1 aggregate score over Club Brugge.
Of the five he’s scored in a row, four of those goals were penalties and all of them came in huge games including finishes against PSG and Juventus that secured Benfica’s spot in the last 16.
João Mário masterclass 🔝#UCL pic.twitter.com/wNf0B8BbEo
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 7, 2023
Mario will have the chance to beat Eusebio’s record in the quarter finals of the Champions League this season, but who faces Benfica at that stage is still yet to be decided.
The Portuguese side are now just 24/1 to win the Champions League this season, with Mario the same price to finish as top goalscorer in the competition.
If he is to finish as top goalscorer, Mario will have to go far in the competition and he will need to keep consistently scoring if he is to challenge the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe for the award.
Champions League Top Goalscorer Odds
- Erling Haaland 11/8
- Kylian Mbappe 3/1
- Vinicius Junior 7/2
- Mohammed Salah 8/1
- Lionel Messi 24/1
- Joao Mario 24/1
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