Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Nov 27, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Anderlecht
2-3
Benfica

Mbemba (18'), Bruno (77')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Matic (34'), Mbemba (52' og.), Rodrigo (87')

Live Commentary

Match Report

Football

Rodrigo late goal helps Benfica beat Anderlecht

By Chris O'Keefe, Reporter | 27 November 2013

Rodrigo's stoppage-time goal is enough to keep Benfica in contention for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a win against Anderlecht.

Rodrigo's goal in stoppage time helped Benfica beat Anderlecht to keep their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages alive.

The visitors fell behind after 18 minutes when Chancel Mbemba slotted the ball past Artur after the away side failed to clear a corner.

However, Benfica were back on level terms on 34 minutes after Nemanja Matic met Nicolas Gaitan's pinpoint free kick to head home, although Anderlecht's players argued that the Serbian midfielder was offside.

Benfica's Nemanja Matic is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's opening goal against Anderlecht during their Champions League group match on November 27, 2013 © AFP

Benfica enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 45 minutes, but were stifled by pressure applied by the home team and can be thankful for a lucky break after the interval.

Mbemba went from hero to villain in the second half when he diverted Gaitan's shot, which appeared to be drifting wide, past keeper Silvio Prato.

Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan scores his team's second goal against Anderlecht during their Champions League group match on November 27, 2013 © AFP

The Belgian side equalised with 13 minutes remaining when Bruno finished from a tight angle to beat Artur in the Benfica goal.

With a minute remaining, Anderlecht thought they had taken the lead when Mbemba tapped in from close range only for the referee to bring play back for a foul on defender Luisao.

Moments later, substitute Rodrigo rescued Benfica's hopes of qualification from Group C when he sprinted into space before firing his shot past Prato.

The result means the Portuguese outfit can still overhaul Olympiacos to take second place, while Anderlecht are now guaranteed to finish bottom of Group C.