The 17-year-old kept his head up, cutting inside to evade Ewerton's tackle before slipping a pass to Jozy Altidore at the edge of the box.
Altidore turned sharply with his first touch on the ball and managed to slip past one of his markers, Joao Carlos.
He immediately let loose a powerful strike, but his shot was blocked by the towering figure of Samba.
[Great run by Benjamin,] the co-commentator noted. [He's fearless, isn't he? But Samba—what a block by the central defender. That's why he's so important to this Anzhi Makhachkala side]
The game settled into a rhythm of back and forth passes, with both teams probing for each other's weaknesses.
Anzhi Makhachkala's high press kept AZ Alkmaar on their toes, but the home side looked dangerous on the counter, with Benjamin and Berghuis constantly testing the flanks.
