2Slick
06-12-2006, 21:06
United head into last 16
Manchester United FC exorcised the ghost of their early elimination from Europe 12 months ago as they fought back to claim their place in the last 16 with an ultimately convincing 3-1 victory over SL Benfica.
Turnaround
This UEFA Champions League Group F decider was a direct repeat of last season's Matchday 6 showdown between these sides but it could not have ended more differently as United avenged their 2-1 defeat in Lisbon a year ago tomorrow. Trailing to Nélson's spectacular 23rd-minute strike, there was only going to be one winner after Nemanja Vidić had headed the hosts level on the stroke of half-time, Ryan Giggs and Louis Saha confirming the inevitable in the second period. To ice the cake for United, Celtic FC's loss at FC København ensured them top spot in the section – and a tie against a group runner-up in February, when Benfica will go into the UEFA Cup.
Cautious approach
Needing just a point to progress, United reined in their attacking instincts in a cautious start. With Wayne Rooney operating on the left of a five-man midfield and Giggs dropping into the centre alongside Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, Benfica faced a wall of red shirts whenever they gained possession. The Portuguese team had scored early goals in beating both Celtic and København but here it was United who threatened first, Quim forced into the game's first save as Rio Ferdinand let fly following a corner.
Advantage Benfica
The match burst into life with Nélson's opener midway through the first half. Simão - deployed alongside Fabrizio Miccoli in the visitors' attack with Nuno Gomes in a withdrawn role - ran at Patrice Evra down the right but rather than cross, chose to lay the ball back to Nélson and the full-back unleashed an unstoppable shot high to Edwin van der Sar's right.
Near misses
Moments later Quim tipped Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick over the crossbar and suddenly we had a cup tie. From the ensuing corner Vidić flicked on to Saha whose far-post header was blocked by Quim, the ball bouncing on to the arm of Nélson on its way to safety. United came again, Gary Neville crossing low to Saha who stabbed wide of the near post.
Bullet header
Benfica had a glimpse of a second goal when Nuno Gomes supplied Miccoli but the Italian failed to make a clean connection, yet otherwise it was one-way traffic. Half-chances came and went, then Ronaldo forced a flying save from Quim but just when Benfica looked poised to reach half-time in front, Vidić rose highest to meet Giggs's free-kick and bullet a header into the net.
United in front
The second half brought more of the same, with United driving at the Benfica back line – and cutting through it with some irresistible wing play, notably from Ronaldo. Although Petit flashed a free-kick over Van der Sar's crossbar, a second United strike seemed inevitable and after Saha had blazed over, it came shortly after the hour via the head of Giggs. For once Ronaldo stopped in his tracks out on the right, looked up and delivered the perfect cross to Giggs who powered in his first UEFA Champions League goal since this corresponding fixture last season.
Job done
On 75 minutes it was three – and a third header - as substitute Darren Fletcher swung over a corner and Saha buried his fourth goal of the group stage. The Premiership leaders continued to threaten but the job was already done. After last year's slip-up, Sir Alex Ferguson's men are back in the knockout stage.
Manchester United FC exorcised the ghost of their early elimination from Europe 12 months ago as they fought back to claim their place in the last 16 with an ultimately convincing 3-1 victory over SL Benfica.
Turnaround
This UEFA Champions League Group F decider was a direct repeat of last season's Matchday 6 showdown between these sides but it could not have ended more differently as United avenged their 2-1 defeat in Lisbon a year ago tomorrow. Trailing to Nélson's spectacular 23rd-minute strike, there was only going to be one winner after Nemanja Vidić had headed the hosts level on the stroke of half-time, Ryan Giggs and Louis Saha confirming the inevitable in the second period. To ice the cake for United, Celtic FC's loss at FC København ensured them top spot in the section – and a tie against a group runner-up in February, when Benfica will go into the UEFA Cup.
Cautious approach
Needing just a point to progress, United reined in their attacking instincts in a cautious start. With Wayne Rooney operating on the left of a five-man midfield and Giggs dropping into the centre alongside Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, Benfica faced a wall of red shirts whenever they gained possession. The Portuguese team had scored early goals in beating both Celtic and København but here it was United who threatened first, Quim forced into the game's first save as Rio Ferdinand let fly following a corner.
Advantage Benfica
The match burst into life with Nélson's opener midway through the first half. Simão - deployed alongside Fabrizio Miccoli in the visitors' attack with Nuno Gomes in a withdrawn role - ran at Patrice Evra down the right but rather than cross, chose to lay the ball back to Nélson and the full-back unleashed an unstoppable shot high to Edwin van der Sar's right.
Near misses
Moments later Quim tipped Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick over the crossbar and suddenly we had a cup tie. From the ensuing corner Vidić flicked on to Saha whose far-post header was blocked by Quim, the ball bouncing on to the arm of Nélson on its way to safety. United came again, Gary Neville crossing low to Saha who stabbed wide of the near post.
Bullet header
Benfica had a glimpse of a second goal when Nuno Gomes supplied Miccoli but the Italian failed to make a clean connection, yet otherwise it was one-way traffic. Half-chances came and went, then Ronaldo forced a flying save from Quim but just when Benfica looked poised to reach half-time in front, Vidić rose highest to meet Giggs's free-kick and bullet a header into the net.
United in front
The second half brought more of the same, with United driving at the Benfica back line – and cutting through it with some irresistible wing play, notably from Ronaldo. Although Petit flashed a free-kick over Van der Sar's crossbar, a second United strike seemed inevitable and after Saha had blazed over, it came shortly after the hour via the head of Giggs. For once Ronaldo stopped in his tracks out on the right, looked up and delivered the perfect cross to Giggs who powered in his first UEFA Champions League goal since this corresponding fixture last season.
Job done
On 75 minutes it was three – and a third header - as substitute Darren Fletcher swung over a corner and Saha buried his fourth goal of the group stage. The Premiership leaders continued to threaten but the job was already done. After last year's slip-up, Sir Alex Ferguson's men are back in the knockout stage.