Benfica vs Manchester United - as it happened: Marcus Rashford strike hands visitors all three points
Re-live all the action from the Estadio da Luz
Manchester United travel to Portugal on Wednesday night to face Benfica as Jose Mourinho’s men strive to make it three wins from three in the Champions League so far. The Red Devils have already seen off FC Basel and CSKA Moscow and know victory in Lisbon puts them in an excellent position to top this relatively easy Group A.
The Portuguese side, once managed by Mourinho for just three months, have endured a tough start to the competition, losing both their opening group games - including a 5-0 thumping at the hands of the Swiss. They will not have been boosted by their league form - they sit five points off the pace in the Primeira Liga - but they have picked up one win, a draw and a defeat in their previous three meetings with United at the Estadio da Luz.
Can they pick up an unlikely win this time around?
Follow all the action below:
Here’s everything you need to know about the game:
What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday 18 October.
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport Showcase and BT Sport 2 will be broadcasting the game. Alternatively return to this page for updates from our live blog.
It’s a big game for…
Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian centre-forward came in for criticism once again following Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool. His detractors pointed to the fact that it was another ‘big game’ in which he had failed to score, although in reality United’s game plan hardly provided him with the best opportunities to get on the scoresheet, such were their defensive priorities. A couple of goals in Europe’s elite competition would be a good reminder for everyone of his quality.
Player to watch…
Victor Lindelof. The Swedish centre-back moved for big money between these clubs in the summer but has found playing time hard to come by at Old Trafford. He arrived with a big reputation, and was closely monitored by Mourinho for some time, but a series of shaky performances in pre-season means he has only been trusted with four competitive starts. Two of those have come in the Champions League and he may well be given another chance tonight in familiar surrounds. Can he prove a point?
Form…
Benfica: WDLWD
Man Utd: DWWWW
Odds…
Benfica: 18/5
Draw: 13/5
Man Utd: 5/6
87' - Benfica's fans want a penalty for handball against Romelu Lukaku but the referee is having none of it,
89' - Zivkovic attempts an audacious volley from 30 yards out for Benfica and, unsurprisingly, slices the ball well wide of the goal.
90+2' - Henrikh Mkhitaryan makes way for United, with Scott McTominay coming on in his place.
Red card for Luisao
Benfica's captain is shown a second yellow card for a poor challenge on United substitute McTominay. He can have no complaints about that one.
Full-time - The referee brings an end to proceedings in Lisbon and Marcus Rashford's unusual winning free-kick is the difference between the two sides.
Full-time scores from around Europe
- Qarabag 0-0 Atletico Madrid
- Anderlecht 0-4 PSG
- Barcelona 3-1 Olympiakos
- Bayern 3-0 Celtic
- Benfica 0-1 Manchester United
- Chelsea 3-3 Roma
- CSKA Moscow 0-2 Basel
- Juventus 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
Lindelof and Matic react
Nemanja Matic: "We had more chances. In the second half we played well but we didn't score a second. We played well enough to take three important points.
"The manager said to us we had to try and shoot (against Benfica's young goalkeeper). He (Svilar) is young and it's his first game. I know he will be a great goalkeeper for Benfica in future."
Victor Lindelof: "Benfica is a good team. It felt good to be back. I spent five years here but I'm very happy for the win we got today."
Quotes from BT Sport
Post-match reaction from Jose Mourinho
On the routine nature of United's win: "We were in control and I don't think David had one save to make. We were the positive team and we were always in control. We were very solid defensively. It's not a crime to be good defensively.
"We have nine points. We are basically one point away from being qualified and one victory away from winning the group.
"We were in control and we knew Benfica couldn't keep up the pressure for 90 minutes. The amazing defensive work that Liverpool did against us, we knew Benfica couldn't do that."
On the plan to target Benfica's young goalkeeper: "I knew how good he (Svilar) was and I told the players how good he was. We had a bit of a strategy on set pieces to make him uncomfortable and we knew that he risks a lot on free-kicks - but only top goalkeepers risk a lot. We were lucky on that situation and he was a bit unlucky."
On Marcus Rashford's injury: "It is something in his knee. I thought it was cramp, I thought it was a bit of fatigue but no, it's something he felt in his knee. I hope it's nothing important."
Quotes from BT Sport
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