Barreiro in trouble: Benfica midfielder in a tight spot | OneFootball

Luxembourg lost 1-0 to Slovakia in a match valid for the qualification of the 2026 World Cup. Leandro Barreiro, midfielder for Benfica, was in the starting lineup and played the full match in this second consecutive defeat, which complicates the qualification chances.

The match gave some favoritism to the opposing team, but the team of the Benfica player, playing at home, wanted to take the initiative in the game. The first half saw Luxembourg dominate, with a clear chance and forcing Martin Dúbravka into three saves.

The second half was much more balanced, with both teams taking a more cautious approach. Goal opportunities arose for both sides, but it was Slovakia who scored, through Tomás Rigo, in the 90th minute.

With this result, Leandro Barreiro - who was close to leaving - suffers another setback in this World Cup qualification phase. The Benfica midfielder and his team have zero points in Group A and occupy the last place. Slovakia (six), Northern Ireland, and Germany (three) round out the standings.

In the current season, the number 18 - valued at 15 million euros - has so far played eight official matches: four Champions League qualifiers, three in Liga Portugal Betclic, and one in the Super Cup. In the 327 minutes he was on the field, he provided two assists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.