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Benfica 2-1 Lyon: Lopes howler kick-starts hosts' Champions League campaign

Benfica claimed their first Champions League win of the season as Anthony Lopes' howler helped them overcome Lyon 2-1 on Wednesday.

By Guy Atkinson
Anthony Lopes howler cost Olympique Lyon in Lisbon

Lisbon, October 24: Benfica claimed their first Champions League win of the season as Anthony Lopes' howler helped them overcome Lyon 2-1 on Wednesday (October 23).

Results | Points Table | Fixtures

Defeats to RB Leipzig and Zenit in their opening two games had left Bruno Lage's side languishing at the foot of Group G, but they kick-started their campaign thanks to Lopes' moment of madness five minutes from time.

The goalkeeper's attempt to start a quick counter backfired when his throw went straight to Pizzi, who gleefully struck a first-time effort into an empty net.

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Memphis Depay had earlier cancelled out Rafa Silva's fourth-minute opener for Benfica, who will travel to France for the return fixture in a fortnight with renewed confidence that they can progress to the knockout stages.

Benfica got off to an electric start, Silva lashing low past Lopes from 15 yards after he had been found by Franco Cervi.

Haris Seferovic then dragged an effort wide after being played in down the left-hand side of Lyon's penalty area before injury cut short Silva's game in the 20th minute.

Lyon started to grow into the game as the first half wore on and only a superb last-ditch block from Alejandro Grimaldo prevented Maxwel Cornet from drawing the Ligue 1 side level.

Seferovic again came close for the hosts before the interval, blazing over from Tomas Tavares' low cross from the right.

Lyon did most of the pressing in the early stages of the second half and they came agonisingly close to levelling shortly after the hour mark, Cornet's effort deflected onto the crossbar by the outstretched leg of Ferro.

That near-miss was forgotten about in the 70th minute when Depay stole in at the back post to cushion home Leo Dubois' cross on the volley.

Pizzi struck the post as Benfica poured forward for a winner, which was ultimately gift-wrapped for them in the 85th minute by Lopes' wayward throw.

What does it mean? Benfica up and running

The Portuguese side remain bottom of the group but are now within striking distance of their rivals thanks to a first win of the campaign. Once Depay had levelled there looked like only being one winner, but Pizzi's incisive finish from Lopes' throw sealed a precious three points for the hosts, throwing Group G wide open.

Tavares display belies his age

The 18-year-old - making just his fourth start for the club - looked at home on the big stage, making a series of marauding runs forward and proving a solid presence at the back.

Lopes' error costs his side

The Portuguese endured a nightmare return to his homeland, gifting Benfica all three points in the closing stages. He will go to sleep wishing he had just booted the ball downfield.

What's next?

Benfica return to domestic action with a visit to Tondela on Sunday (October 27), while Lyon will hope to kick-start their stuttering Ligue 1 campaign at home to Metz a day earlier.

Story first published: Thursday, October 24, 2019, 8:46 [IST]
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