Atletico Madrid 1-2 Benfica: Gaitan sends Portuguese side top
The Liga side took the lead in the first half through
Angel Correa, but they were left pointless after
Nicolas Gaitan inspired an impressive Benfica
fightback
Goals from Nicolas Gaitan and Goncalo Guedes
secured a surprise 2-1 Champions League win for
Benfica over Atletico Madrid as the Portuguese
side took early control of Group C.
The visitors headed to Vicente Calderon having
failed to win on their travels this season or beat
Spanish opposition in Europe since 1982.
But after falling behind to Angel Correa's 23rd-
minute effort, Rui Vitoria's men - who beat Astana
on matchday one - struck back either side of the
break and survived a late onslaught from the
hosts to clinch a potentially vital victory.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone had identified
Gaitan as Benfica's main threat in the build-up to
the game and will therefore have been
disappointed by the way his charges allowed the
Argentina midfielder to drift in unmarked at the
back post to draw his side level.
And the home defenders failed to heed the
warning as it was Gaitan who provided a delightful
assist for what proved to be the winner from
Guedes.
The 2014 beaten finalists threw everything they
had at the visitors in the latter stages, but a
combination of poor finishing and some fine saves
from Julio Cesar ensured they tasted defeat for
just the fourth time in their last 25 home European
ties.
In what was a pulsating tie, the goalmouth action
started almost immediately.
In-form Benfica striker Jonas beat three
defenders on a mazy dribble before dragging his
shot wide six minutes in, while Tiago's goal-
bound effort was deflected wide at the other end
moments later.
The visitors went close again when Guedes beat
Jan Oblak to a ball on the edge of the Atletico
area, but saw his curling shot cleared off the line
by Filipe Luis who was perfectly positioned to
spare his goalkeeper's blushes.
A volley from Jackson Martinez that looped over
the bar was Atletico's immediate response, but
they were not to be denied for long.
Antoine Griezmann has been in sparkling form for
the Spanish side this season and the Frenchman
provided the cushioned assist for Correa who
gleefully rifled past Julio Cesar from close range.
The Liga side came agonisingly close to doubling
their advantage soon after as Martinez struck the
woodwork and was then foiled by Cesar having
been picked out by another fine cross from
Griezmann.
With Atletico rampant it seemed inevitable they
would extend their lead before the break, but
Benfica retained some threat on the counter-
attack and managed to level matters in the 36th
minute.
The hosts failed to deal with a ball driven in from
the right by Andreas Samaris, allowing it to travel
all the way across the box to the far post where
the onrushing Gaitan slammed it first time past
Oblak.
Simeone's men made a strong start to the
second half, only to be undone by a classic
sucker punch as Gaitan got away down the left,
picked out Guedes and the Portugal Under-20
international steered home at the far post.
Shortly before the hour mark, Benfica were
indebted to Cesar as he produced a stunning
double save to deny Martinez and Correa, while a
fine block from Luisao kept out a goal-
bound strike from the luckless Martinez moments
later.
Simeone introduced Fernando Torres for the final
quarter, but the former Chelsea man was unable
to bag what would have been his 100th goal for
the club as the visitors hung on for maximum
points.
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