Atletico Madrid win group after beating Benfica

Goals from Saul Niguez and Luciano Vietto have earned Atletico Madrid a 2-1 victory at Benfica, meaning that the La Liga side qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League as winners of their group.

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After an opening which was fiercely contested yet lacking in goalmouth action, Atletico had the ball in the back of the net thanks to a header from Diego Godin, but the defender was correctly adjudged to have been offside.

As the opening quarter drew to a close, Atletico pushed forward again through Saul but his long-range effort was saved by goalkeeper Julio Cesar, before the Brazilian international was called into action to deny Gabi.

Benfica got back into the game well by beginning to dominate possession but shortly after the half-hour mark, Atletico went in front through Saul, who was on hand to provide the finish after being found by Vietto's cutback.

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The home side's best chance of an equaliser fell to Renato Sanches, but after he fired wide, Atletico were able to take a narrow lead into the break.

Atletico doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half as Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco burst down the flank before finding Vietto, who sliced the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box.

The goal left Benfica with a mountain to climb but they got back into the match with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Kostas Mitroglou found the back of the net off the post after receiving a pass from Raul Jimenez.

As the clock ticked down, Jimenez nearly equalised for the hosts but after he sent his header wide of the target, Atletico held on to top the group.