VIDEO: Directly from a corner kick! Watch crazy Di María goal

Benfica Lisbon needed to beat Salzburg by two goals to finish third in the Europa League. Angel Di María laid the foundations for the necessary victory, scoring directly from a corner kick.

It was questionable whether David Jurásek, who has missed the last two games due to injury, would be involved in the match. Coach Roger Schmidt praised his return to the team at the press conference, but in the end left him on the bench.

Benfica reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, but this season they have not done well at all. They lost at home to Salzburg in the first round, then lost to Inter and twice to Real Sociedad. The first point came in the fifth round in a draw with Inter.

Before the last round, it had one chance to play at least in the Europa League in the spring. To beat Salzburg by two goals. And Benfica’s star player, Ángel Di María, laid the foundations for that.

The Argentine footballer stood up to take a corner kick in the 32nd minute. He directed the centre precisely on goal, which goalkeeper Alexander Schlager did not count on and it fell through his hands and into the net.

A spectacular goal from a direct corner kick 😱

Angel Di Maria 😍🇦🇷

pic.twitter.com/6zaMhZfwme

— Indonesia Albiceleste (@ID_Albiceleste) December 13, 2023

Di María switched from the role of scorer to assistant just before half-time. He found Rafa Silva, who scored Benfica’s second goal, and at that moment the Portuguese side were in third place.

But in the second half the home side managed to reduce the deficit, which would have sent them back to the Europa League. Benfica needed to score another goal.

In the end, the Portuguese team managed the second half perfectly and will play at least the Europa League in the spring.

Source: UEFA, X