UEFA Champions League
Result: Benfica 0-1 Manchester United
Date:18 October 2017
Venue: Estádio da Luz
Manchester United maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League group stage phase with a narrow 1-0 win over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.
The match was played at high intensity with a lot of physical challenges dominating the opening 10 minutes.
Marcus Rashford should have opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, but his looping header sailed slightly over the bar following a great cross from Juan Mata.
United were playing on the counter-attack and the chances were few and far between going into the halftime break as the two sides were cancelling each other out.
After a quiet start to the half, Rashford eventually broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a cross-cum shot that was carried into the net by goalkeeper Mile Svilar, 0-1.
Ten minutes later, Rashford hobbled off the pitch with an injury and Jose Mourinho brought on Anthony Martial on his place.
Mourinho's charges were dominating with five minutes remaining, passing the ball around with confidence, although not in a hurry to score.
Benfica were then reduced to 10 men in the closing stages of the second half when Luisão was shown his second yellow card of the game.
In the end, United controlled the match to clinch the victory to maintain top spot in the group.
