Bruges (Belgium): João Mário converted a penalty and David Neres made a cool finish which earned Benfica a comfortable win at Club Brugge in the first leg match in the Round of 16 stage of the Champions League.
Roger Schmidt's Benfica took a major step towards the Champions League quarterfinals following a 2-0 victory as they will take a two-goal advantage back to Lisbon.
Club Brugge started well, looking nothing like the team that has struggled in recent weeks. However, Benfica took control before the break and dominated after taking the lead, with the visitors looking at the stronger team.
The home side began the brighter and nearly took the lead with barely five minutes on the clock thanks to Tajon Buchanan's burst of pace down the left. However, visiting keeper Odisseas Vlachodimos was alert to the danger once the winger had cut into the area.
The Eagles took their time to regroup but ended the first period strongly, Rafa Silva's improvised half-volley with the outside of his foot striking the upright on the half-hour.
The visitors continued in the same vein after the restart and when Gonçalo Ramos was sent tumbling by Jack Hendry's outstretched leg, João Mário somehow squeezed the resultant penalty into the net via a combination of Simon Mignolet and the woodwork.
The Blauw-Zwart had no answer and failed to test the visiting defence further. The task for Scott Parker's group in the return fixture was made tougher with just two minutes remaining.
Substitute David Neres capitalised on hesitation in the Belgian side's back line before applying a cool finish low into the far corner.
The win has helped Benfica extend their best-ever unbeaten run in the Champions League to eight matches in a row. They now have three matches lined up before them before the return leg in Portugal with two of them at their home. They will host Boavista on Monday before an away fixture with Vizela. Then then return to home to face off Famalicao.
As far as Club Brugge are concerned, they will also play three times before the reverse fixture. They have away matches against Cercle Brugge and Oostende with a home game against Gent in between.
(With Inputs From IANS)