Benalton 1 - 3 Blanningse

Key Events:

• 30' Blanningse Xinping Boon scores, assisted by Namil Ho
• 40' Yellow card to Benalton Pedro Guzman
• 43' Yellow card to Blanningse Namil Ho
• 49' Yellow card to Blanningse John Ahmed
• 50' Benalton Rainer Müller scores, assisted by Pedro Guzman
• 54' Blanningse Nikola Mihajlović scores
• 71' Yellow card to Benalton Israel Morales
• 85' Yellow card to Blanningse Fred Campbell
• 90' Blanningse Nikola Mihajlović scores, assisted by Fred Campbell

Expected Goals (xG) Analysis: Benalton registered 1.97 xG but scored once, finishing below the chance quality it generated. Blanningse had 2.09 xG and scored three, a more efficient return from a slightly higher total. The underlying figures suggest a fairly even contest for chances rather than a match in which the visitors overwhelmed the hosts: Benalton led possession 53%-47%, while shots were 9-10 and shots on target were level at seven apiece. Yet Blanningse made more of its opportunities, and Mihajlović supplied the decisive difference with a goal shortly after Benalton had equalised and another in the 90th minute. Possession and passing accuracy, where Benalton also edged it 85%-83%, did not translate into the same return on the scoreboard.

Benalton had no standout performers rated 7.0 or higher.

• Nikola Mihajlović (7.6) - Scored twice, including the 54th-minute response and the 90th-minute goal that completed Blanningse’s 3 - 1 win.

The match turned on Blanningse’s ability to answer quickly. Xinping Boon put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute, but Benalton found a route back through Rainer Müller, assisted by Pedro Guzman, just after the interval. That equaliser lasted four minutes. Mihajlović restored Blanningse’s lead in the 54th, then returned to settle the result at 90'. Blanningse also recorded more dribbles and tackles, while committing more fouls and receiving more yellow cards; the contest was not short on effort, though the visitors made their best contribution where the scoreline keeps its records. Benalton had enough possession and on-target attempts to stay in the argument, but Blanningse left with the 3 - 1 victory and the more productive finishing.