Two-time European champions Benfica have all but secured their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League thanks to a 2-2 draw away in Astana this afternoon.
However, it was by no means a straightforward assignment for Rui Vitoria's men, who fell two goals behind in the opening 31 minutes to a side that were hunting their first ever group phase victory.
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The travelling Eagles made all of the early running in a freezing Kazakhstan, yet it was the home team that broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. Junior Kabananga's cross from the left wing flew towards the back post, where Patrick Twumasi was on hand to send his headed effort beyond Julio Cesar's reach.
Astana entered the contest knowing that they needed to claim all three points to stand any chance of reaching the last 16, and it appeared that they had done just that when Marin Anicic glanced Foxi Kethevoama's inswinging cross in off his back. Replays showed that the Bosnian defender was in an offside position when Kethevoama delivered the ball, but the infringement went unnoticed by the referee's assistant.
But, just when it appeared that the home side were in control of proceedings, Benfica reduced the arrears five minutes before the break. Raul Jimenez scampered to the near post to meet Jonas's cross, which he was able to divert into Nenad Eric's net.
Twumasi and Kethevoama both called Cesar into action early on in the second half, though as the game wore on, it was Benfica that started to carve out the better of the chances.
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They eventually converted one of them 18 minutes from time as Jimenez buried his second goal of the contest. This time it was full-back Andre Almeida that picked up the summer signing from Atletico Madrid, who toe-poked in his third goal of the campaign.
Benfica's Brazilian midfielder Talisca went closest to scoring a winning goal in the closing stages, but his driven effort from 25 yards out was held at the first attempt by Nenad.
The point means that group leaders Benfica will have sealed their place in the next round if Galatasaray fail to beat Atletico Madrid later today, while bottom-placed Astana can only qualify for the Europa League at best.
Liam Apicella
