Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Nov 3, 2015 at 7.45pm UK

Benfica
2-1
Galatasaray Galatasaray

Jonas (52'), Luisao (67')
Gaitan (85')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Podolski (58')

Luisao chip gives 10-man Benfica win over Galatasaray

By Stephen Topping, Reporter | 03 November 2015

Goals from Jonas and Luisao give 10-man Benfica a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray in their Champions League clash, as Nicolas Gaitan receives two yellow cards.

Goals from Jonas and Luisao have given 10-man Benfica a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray in their Champions League clash this evening.

Benfica's Brazilian defender Luisao (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match SL Benfica v Galatasaray AS at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on November 3, 2015 © Getty Images

The hosts almost took an early lead, as Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera denied Raul Jimenez with his legs, before Nicolas Gaitan dragged the rebound wide.

Benfica continued to look the more likely of the sides to score, as Brazilian forward Jonas found Goncalo Guedes, before the winger blazed his effort over the bar.

Benfica's Brazilian forward Jonas (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League football match SL Benfica vs Galatasaray AS at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on November 3, 2015. © Getty Images

After the break the Portuguese side finally broke the deadlock, as Luisao found Jonas with a free kick, before the former Valencia forward fired past Muslera.

Galatasaray equalised just six minutes later, as Wesley Sneijder played in Lukas Podolski, before the former Arsenal winger found the back of the Benfica net.

Benfica regained control of the game following Podolski's strike, as Jimenez fired wide from the edge of the penalty area, before Anderson Talisca missed the target from 20 yards.

The hosts restored their lead on 67 minutes, as Jimenez found Luisao, before the defender produced a lobbed effort into the top corner of the Galatasaray net.

Benfica came close to a third goal moments later, when Muslera parried a Gaitan free kick before the Uruguayan kept out Jimenez's strike on the rebound.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men on 85 minutes, when winger Gaitan received a second yellow card for a foul on Emre Colak, setting up a nervy ending for the hosts.

Galatasaray almost found an equaliser before the final whistle, Selcuk Inan firing wide from the edge of the penalty area, while Umut Bulut and Yasin Oztekin were both denied late on.