Benfica 2-1 Lyon: Pizzi the hero as he pounces on Anthony Lopes mistake to give Benfica get first Champions League win of the season
- Pizzi scored the winner as Benfica secured a 2-1 victory at home to Lyon
- Rafa Silva had put Benfica in the ascendancy after just four minutes in Portugal
- Memphis Depay equalised for Lyon but Pizzi’s intervention saw Benfica win
An 86th minute blunder by Olympique Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes handed Benfica Lisbon a late goal for a 2-1 victory on Wednesday that threw the Champions League Group G wide open.
Pizzi scored the winner after Lopes inexplicably threw the ball straight into the player’s path who had no problem firing in from 25 metres for their first win in this season’s competition.
Rafa Silva had grabbed a fourth minute lead for the hosts but his injury a little later deprived Benfica of their main attacking threat.
Pizzi scored the winner for Benfica as he pounced upon a mistake by Anthony Lopes
Lyon goalkeeper Lopes was left dejected following his costly error against Benfica
Memphis Depay celebrates after he scored the equaliser for Lyon against Benfica
There was little in terms of attacks from the visitors, under new coach Rudi Garcia, until Memphis Depay volleyed in the equaliser at the far post in the 70th. Benfica hit the post in the 85th but were gifted the winner by Lopes a little later.
Benfica climb to three points, one behind Lyon and Zenit St Petersburg. RB Leipzig, who beat Zenit 2-1 earlier on Wednesday, are top on six points.
Rafa Silva (left) celebrates after his goal put Benfica in the lead with just four minutes gone
Rafa Silva is congratulated by his jubilant Benfica team-mates after he managed to find the net