Galatasaray 2 - 1 SL Benfica: Galatasaray see off Benfica challenge

Posted Thursday, October 22, 2015 by PA

Galatasaray defeated Benfica 2-1 to claim their first win in 10 fixtures in Europe and revive their hopes of advancing from Group C into the Champions League's final 16.

The talented Nicolas Gaitan gave the visitors a second-minute lead before Selcuk Inan, from the penalty spot, and Lukas Podolski secured a vital victory.

Gaitain found space after team-mate Jonas Goncalves Oliveira's free-kick, showed his composure by stepping inside Aurelien Chedjou's diving tackle with his left foot and then, with his right, calmly chipped over Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Inan's opportunity to equalise came when Benfica's Andre Almeida blocked Bilal Kisa's shot with his hand. Powerfully sending the penalty into the top-left corner beyond goalkeeper Julio Cesar's reach, the captain made the score 1-1.

Podolski, whose finishing ability remains as polished as ever, then fired the home side in front in the 33rd minute. The German forward collected Chedjou's long ball on the right before sending a classy left-footed finish between Cesar's legs.

Despite Galatasaray being the team with momentum, Benfica sought an equalising goal before half-time and repeatedly threatened before the break.

It was the hosts, however, who came closest to scoring in the second half. Midfielder Wesley Sneijder sent a dangerous free-kick against the post four minutes after the restart, with Cesar beaten, and Umut Bulut forced another fine save from Cesar with a poked, close-range shot.

For all of Benfica's growing pressure - they also went close with long-range efforts - as the game progressed, Galatasaray remained resilient and held out.

The victory was their first in the Champions League since December 2013.