MX23RW : Friday, November 22 06:06:25| >> :600:9832595:9832595:
[monks data]
Zenit St Petersburg
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 26, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Benfica

1-0

Danny (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Zenit St Petersburg boost qualification hopes with Benfica win

Zenit St Petersburg beat Benfica 1-0 to boost their chances of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.

Zenit St Petersburg have given themselves a chance of making the last 16 of the Champions League after a narrow victory over 10-man Benfica in Russia.

In a cagey first half, Zenit's best chance came from Hulk's rasping free kick on six minutes, which keeper Julio Cesar could only parry, but the hosts were unable to capitalise from the rebound.

Zenit's players celebrate their goal during the UEFA Champions league group C football match against Benfica in St. Petersburg on November 26, 2014© Getty Images

Benfica, who started the game one point behind second-placed Monaco, tried to forge a lead before half time when Eduardo Salvio latched on to Nicolas Gaitan's cross, but the Argentine midfielder was denied by a reflex save from Yuri Lodygin.

Andre Villas Boas's team may feel that they should have edged in front just after the hour mark when a surging run from Danny down the left flank provided Hulk with the chance to shoot only for the Brazilian forward to get the ball stuck under his feet at the crucial moment.

The former Porto man tried to break the deadlock from another free kick on 76 minutes, but his speculative failed to trouble Julio Cesar.

However, the home side finally found a way through moments later when Danny latched on to Hulk's cross before dispatching a first-time finish beyond the reach of the Benfica keeper.

The Portuguese side's push for a late equaliser was hindered when Luisao was sent off in stoppage time for second bookable offence.

Zenit held on for a victory, which moves them ahead of Monaco for the time being while Benfica are out of the competition and only have a possible Europa League place to play for in their final game.

ID:190252: cacheID:190252:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3823:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Slow going in St Petersburg
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!