27 September 2006, by Tom Kundert

Stunning Saha strike downs Benfica

Benfica 0-1 Manchester United

Benfica’s Champions League campaign was dealt a heavy blow last night as the Lisbon club were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at the Estadio da Luz.

After a promising first half Benfica fell away in the second 45 minutes and an excellent goal from Louis Saha proved enough for the English giants to avenge last season’s defeat against the same opponents.

Reaction: "We have the quality to get to the next phase" - Simao

A cagey opening 10 minutes saw no quarter given by either side and was notable only for two bad fouls by Carrick and Scholes, both of which earned yellow cards. Benfica were enjoying large spells of possession and Karagounis tested Van der Sar with an effort from outside the box but the Dutch keeper dealt comfortably with the shot.

Ronaldo danger

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is hero-worshipped whenever playing in this stadium in a Portugal shirt, was again roundly booed whenever he came into possession of the ball by Benfica fans because of his past at bitter city rivals Sporting.

Undeterred, the Portuguese winger was United’s most dangerous player, and in the 13th minute, after a sharp turn, his wicked shot proved too hot to handle for Quim, with Saha diverting the rebound just wide of the post.

Benfica took firm control of proceedings for the rest of the half as Karagounis and Petit bossed the midfield. In the 27th minute Vidic lost the ball under pressure from Paulo Jorge, giving Nuno Gomes a clear run on goal. The Benfica striker hit a firm shot from outside the box forcing Van der Sar into a good save.

A minute later Simao played a clever free-kick across the edge of the box when everyone was expecting a cross, but Paulo Jorge shot wildly over the bar when well placed. The Eagles continued to enjoy good possession, but were finding it hard to carve out goalscoring chances.

Neither team made substitutions at the break, but United came out with a far more aggressive attitude, with the busy Scholes providing more support for the always dangerous Ronaldo, while Benfica were kept in check by the disciplined English defence in which Heinze was outstanding.

On the hour mark the home fans were stunned as United took the lead. Ronaldo picked up the ball in midfield and played a first-time pass to Saha. The French striker ran down the right flank, cut inside Anderson and fired a powerful cross-shot which whistled past Quim into the back of the net, helped by a slight deflection off Anderson’s outstretched leg.

Fernando Santos tried to give his team more attacking impetus by bringing on Nuno Assis and Miccoli, for Karagounis and Paulo Jorge respectively. But United were now playing with confidence and a second goal for the English team looked far more likely than a Benfica equaliser.

In the 77th minute a fine flowing moved created a good chance for Saha, but the Frenchman hit his effort just wide.

Quim heroics

Benfica had all but disappeared as an attacking force and only a wonderful triple save from Quim prevented United from doubling their lead. Ronaldo won a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box and Heinze hit a powerful shot past the wall that Quim managed to parry. The goalkeeper then showed cat-like reactions to keep out the follow-up efforts from Smith and Carrick.

In a final surge forward Miccoli’s long cross was met by Nuno Assis but the stretching midfielder sent the ball over the bar. A disappointing night for Benfica boss Fernando Santos was further marred by the appearance of white handkerchiefs from sections of the fans unhappy with the team’s current performance level.

Benfica lie third in Group F after Celtic beat Copenhagen 1-0 in the other match. Next up for the Eagles is a trip to Glasgow where defeat would all but end their hopes of progress to the knockout stages.

PortuGOAL man of the match:
Petit – The tough-tackling midfielder produced a commanding first-half display, before mirroring his team by fading in the second 45 minutes.

Benfica:
Quim, Alcides, Luisao, Anderson (Mantorras, 82), Leo, Katsouranis, Petit, Paulo Jorge (Miccoli, 65), Karagounis (Nuno Assis, 62), Simao, Nuno Gomes
Yellow Cards: Katsouranis (25), Petit (86)

Manchester United:
Van der Sar, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Carrick, Cristiano Ronaldo, Scholes, O’Shea, Rooney (Fletcher, 85), Saha (Alan Smith, 85)
Yellow Cards: Carrick (7), Scholes (10), Heinze (66)

Goals:
[0-1] Saha, 60