Analysis The numbers behind the result
St. Gallen edge Benfica despite limited statistical visibility
The lack of detailed statistical data makes it challenging to definitively assess whether St. Gallen's 2-1 victory over Benfica was fully deserved on the balance of play. However, the Swiss side demonstrated clinical finishing with goals from Aliou Balde (37') and Tom Gaal (80'), the latter assisted by Lukas Daschner, cancelling out Rafa Silva's 44th-minute equaliser for Benfica, which came via a Vangelis Pavlidis assist.
With possession percentages, shot data, and expected goals (xG) figures unavailable, the match's decisive moments came from individual contributions rather than clear tactical superiority. St. Gallen's ability to convert their limited chances—scoring twice from an unspecified number of attempts—suggests efficiency in front of goal, while Benfica's solitary strike indicates potential wastefulness. The disciplinary count (St. Gallen 2 yellows, Benfica 1) hints at a competitive but controlled encounter.
The key stat explaining the outcome is simply the scoreline: St. Gallen's two goals to Benfica's one, achieved through timely finishing and assists from Gortler and Daschner, proved decisive in a match where broader performance metrics remain opaque.