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Wednesday's Champions League match reports
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-03 08:43 Late Senna strike puts Villarreal top of group
LISBON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Brazilian midfielder Marcos Senna thumped in a
long-range winner eight minutes from time to hand Villarreal a 1-0 win at
Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The victory lifted the Spanish side to the top of Group D on six points after
four matches and left them well-placed to reach the last 16 in their first
season in the competition.
Senna let fly from 30 metres and scored despite Benfica keeper Rui Nereu's
best efforts, the inexperienced teenager getting his fingertips to his powerful
shot.
Senna scored after a free kick and took advantage when Nereu's advanced out
of the goal to cover. Injuries had ruled out first-choice keeper Jose Moreira
and his deputy Quim Silva.
Benfica prop up the standings on four points. Lille and Manchester United
have five points after the French side beat the former European champions 1-0 on
Wednesday.
The home loss was Benfica's first in a European tournament since 1999.
"We created a lot of opportunities but we didn't have any luck," said Benfica
captain Simao Sabrosa. "The result wasn't what we hoped for but everything is
still open."
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini said it was difficult to say which teams
in Group D would advance since they were so evenly matched.
EARNED WIN
"Even though this was a balanced game, I think this was an earned win, since
in general we had more opportunities to score than Benfica and in one of them we
succeeded," he said.
"Right from the start we were going for the three points (for the group
standings) and we got them."
In the first half, Villarreal controlled the midfield and exploited
counter-attacks. Benfica winger Giovanni squandered a chance to score in the
41st minute when his shot wide in front of an empty net.
Benfica's Nuno Gomes headed a goal in the 57th minute but Belgian referee
Frank De Bleeckere disallowed it for offside.
"A draw would have been the fairest result. The first half was dominated by
Villarreal, which kept us from carrying out attacks," said Benfica coach Ronald
Koeman.
"The second half was completely different, since we were the ones on the rise
and we created more opportunities. It's tough to lose a game at the end of a
second half that we dominated."
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