MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 07:46:57| >> :600:218085:218085:
[monks data]
Astana
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 25, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Benfica

2-2

Twumasi (19'), Anicic (31')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Jimenez (40', 72')

Benfica on verge of qualification

A brace from Raul Jimenez sees Benfica earn a share of the spoils against Astana to leave them on the cusp of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

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.

Benfica's players celebrate a goal during the UEFA Champions League group C football match between FC Astana and SL Benfica at the Astana Arena stadium in Astana on November 25, 2015.© Getty Images

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.

Astana's defender from Bosnia-Herzegovina Marin Anicic (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group C football match between FC Astana and SL Benfica at the Astana Arena stadium in Astana on November 25, 2015© Getty Images

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.

ID:259143: cacheID:259143:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5513:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Benfica's Konstantinos Mitroglou celebrates scoring against Belenenses on September 11, 2015
Read Next:
Vitoria praises Benfica side after win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053

Subscribe to our newsletter


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!