Bayer Leverkusen finally secured their first victory of this season’s UEFA Champions League league phase, edging past SL Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon to claim just their second away win in 11 UCL fixtures.
Both sides entered matchday four still searching for a maiden win in the group stage, and their nerves were evident in a cagey opening.
Dodi Lukebakio came closest early on, latching onto Richard Rios’ long ball and clipping an effort off the junction of post and bar.
Moments later, Leandro Barreiro’s header from Heorhiy Sudakov’s delivery flew narrowly wide as Benfica looked to assert some dominance.
Despite a scrappy rhythm, José Mourinho’s men created the better openings, and came within inches of scoring when Nicolas Otamendi’s looping header from a corner struck the crossbar.
Leverkusen, who have been near-unstoppable domestically under Kasper Hjulmand, looked far less convincing on European soil.
Even their best first-half opportunity, when Ibrahim Maza slipped Ernest Poku through on goal, was wasted, as the youngster scuffed wide under pressure.
Benfica, meanwhile, will rue their missed chances before halftime. Vangelis Pavlidis somehow failed to convert from close range with the goal at his mercy, then later saw his attempted dribble around goalkeeper Mark Flekken smartly intercepted.
Their profligacy ultimately proved costly. Hjulmand’s substitutions injected new energy, and Patrik Schick, who had moments earlier been denied by Anatoliy Trubin, capitalized on a defensive blunder from Samuel Dahl, nodding the loose header past the stranded keeper for the decisive goal.
The hosts pushed forward in frustration, but Lukebakio’s off-target strike summed up a dismal night. Benfica remain rooted to the bottom of the group, pointless and goalless since matchday one against Qarabağ FK.
For Leverkusen, however, a gritty win and resilient defensive display marked a turning point, lifting them into the competition’s top 24 and reviving their European hopes.
