This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/01/bayer-leverkusen-benfica-champions-league-group-c-match-report

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Bayer Leverkusen bounce back against Benfica to earn their first points Sorry - this page has been removed.
(6 months later)
Bayer Leverkusen outclassed the former European champions Benfica 3-1 on Wednesday to earn their first points in the Champions League Group C and bounce back in style from an opening defeat to Monaco. This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason.
First-half goals from Stefan Kiessling, with some help from the blundering Benfica keeper Júlio César, and Son Heung-min settled the hosts’ nerves and put them on track for their first win in the competition with a dominant performance.
Eduardo Salvio briefly pulled one back for the struggling Portuguese in the 62nd minute before a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty settled matters only a minute later. For further information, please contact:
Leverkusen moved up to three points, one behind Zenit St Petersburg and Monaco, who drew 1-1 earlier on Wednesday. Benfica, who were exceedingly weak with not a single shot on or off target for more than an hour, are bottom of the group without a point.
The hosts set a fierce pace early on with South Korean Son almost scoring after four minutes and only being denied by a fine save from Brazil keeper Júlio César.
Lars Bender then hit the post with a deflected shot from inside the penalty area as Leverkusen continued to press for a quick goal to put them in control.
Júlio César, a replacement for suspended Artur, gifted the Germans the lead when, after blocking a shot by Son, he spilt the ball into the path of Kiessling for a simple finish.
Son then scored one of his own in the 34th minute with Karim Bellarabi cutting into the penalty area and finding the Korean, who found the top corner from 12 metres.
Calhanoglu hit the post from a metre out early in the second half with Leverkusen looking to kill the game off early.
The Argentinian winger Salvio gave Benfica a glimmer of hope when he threaded a shot past Bernd Leno with their only shot on goal of the game.
Kiessling was then brought down by Jardel for a penalty and Calhanoglu sent Júlio César the wrong way.