Chelsea grabbed the lead in their Champions League match at Stamford Bridge in the 18th minute when Benfica’s Richard Ríos, attempting to clear a low cross from Alejandro Garnacho via Pedro Neto, deflected the ball into his own net. The goal set the tone for a tight contest. Chelsea then sat back, defended diligently, and allowed Benfica to dominate possession while looking for opportunities to counter.
Benfica Pressure, Few Clear Chances
After conceding, Benfica pressed forward with urgency. They tried to control midfield, forced Chelsea back, and attempted shots through Fredrik Aursnes and Georgiy Sudakov. However, Premier League side Chelsea held a compact shape. Defenders tracked runs, midfielders helped shield the back four, and goalkeeper Robert Sánchez made several key saves. Despite their possession and build-ups, Benfica couldn’t make those count.
Drama Late On
In stoppage time, Chelsea suffered a blow when João Pedro received a second yellow card, reducing Chelsea to ten men for the closing moments. That red card raised tension among players and fans especially because Benfica had ramped up pressure. Nonetheless, Chelsea absorbed the pressure calmly. Although Benfica created a few threatening set-pieces and crosses, the Blues locked down defensively and saw out the match.
Tactical Takeaways & Player Performances
Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca set up his team with a disciplined defensive game plan. He instructed his defenders to stay tight, fullbacks to close down wide threats, and midfielders to press selectively rather than chase shadows. Chelsea relied on counter-attacks led by Garnacho, and their transitions threatened Benfica especially in the first half.
Benfica, under José Mourinho, stuck with their usual fluid movement but struggled to penetrate through compact lines. Their wingers and midfielders tried to force runs behind Chelsea’s defense but often lacked the final pass. João Pedro’s sending off hurt them psychologically, especially as they had just started believing they could snatch something from the match.
Champions League Campaign
This result gives Chelsea a valuable three points and helps stabilize their Champions League Group phase after earlier struggles. They needed this win to restore confidence, especially in front of home fans returning to European nights.
Benfica now face a tougher road in the group. The loss means they must attack future fixtures aggressively while keeping discipline. Mourinho will probably focus on tightening defensive errors and improving creativity in final third.
Conclusion
Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Benfica came down to one moment of misfortune for the Portuguese side and resilient defending from the English club. Richard Ríos’ own goal proved costly, and João Pedro’s red card made sure there would be no late equaliser. While Chelsea labored to create many chances, their organization and discipline paid off. Benfica showed effort and possession but lacked finish. Chelsea take home three points, and Benfica lose on a night that could have gone differently.
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