Match Analysis: Benfica 2-1 Celtic

Benfica needed to win at home to Celtic tonight to give them any realistic hope of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

A win for the Hoops would have seen them qualify alongside Barcelona, who triumphed 3-0 over Spartak Moscow to qualify as winners of Group G.

Dutch winger Ola John gave the hosts the lead after six minutes, but Giorgos Samaras equalised in the 31st minute to see Celtic into half time on level terms.

Benfica pushed forward in the second half and were rewarded thanks to a fine strike from Ezequiel Garay, who showed fantastic technique to rifle past Fraser Forster.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look to see if the result was fair.

Match statistics:

Benfica:
Shots 30
On target 8
Possession 67%
Corners10
Fouls 9

Celtic:
Shots 9
On target 5
Possession 33%
Corners 3
Fouls 16

Was the result fair?

Yes, but Celtic were never out of this one. However, Benfica had the chance to score more goals and definitely deserved to win.

Benfica's performance

7/10. It was an average performance from Benfica, mainly because they played in fits and spurts. They burst into action after five minutes when Ola John scored and put Celtic under mountains of pressure until Celtic equalised in the 30th minute. Benfica regained the initiative on the hour mark and began to press further and further forward. The Celtic defence stood still as Luisao beat Efe Ambrose in the air for Ezequiel Garay to volley home the second with 20 minutes to go. In the end, they could have had three or four but failed to put the game to bed.

Celtic's performance

6/10. The Hoops were outmatched in terms of ability, but their work ethic was tremendous. In general, the team held their shape but they were pillaged down the flanks. At times they were extremely narrow and Lima was allowed too much freedom out wide. Celtic did try to get forward as the seconds ticked away, and nearly got a leveller through Gary Hooper. However, they were a bit lightweight in attack all evening.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Lima: The Brazilian forward was a constant threat all evening. Fraser Forster gets an honourable mention for some fine saves, but he's ended up on the losing team.

Biggest gaffe of the game

Eduardo Salvio had the chance to put Benfica back in the lead in the second half when Lima whipped in a cross from the left, but the Argentine failed to connect when he should have burst into the net.

Referee performance

Viktor Kassai was kept busy by a lot of petty fouls, but there wasn't a bad tackle in the game. The Hungarian didn't make any outrageous decisions, and had a decent game.

What next?

Benfica: The Portuguese team travel to Barcelona knowing that they need to better Celtic's result against Spartak Moscow to be sure of qualification.

Celtic: As just mentioned, the Hoops welcome the Russian side to Glasgow needing at least a point to put pressure on Benfica.