Celtic v Benfica

Match report (UEFA Champions League coverage for Eurosport - 17 October 2006).

For my minute by minute coverage of this game please click here.

Celtic batter Benfica 3-0

Three second half goals sunk Benfica 3-0 to send Celtic second in Group F behind Manchester United. Always on top, Celtic dominated the game and were worthy winners. Benfica hit the bar early in the second half but Celtic replied with goals from Kenny Miller (2) and Stephen Pearson.
The last time Celtic met Benfica was in 1969. Portugese legend Eusebio was playing and Celtic won by the toss of a coin in one of the pub quiz results of European football.

Roll on 2006 and they came out blazing, intent on staking their claim for the second place spot in UEFA Champions League Group F behind Manchester United.

Shaun Maloney nearly stole the headlines in the third minute with a sensational scissor-kick volley from 12 yards that brought a fine reflex save from the Benfica goalkeeper, Quim.

Benfica had opted for a three-man attack led by Nuno Gomes but it was Celtic who set the pace and built on Maloney's early effort with several half chances for Scotland striker Kenny Miller.

Alongside Neil Lennon, 19-year-old Evander Sno bossed the central midfield but Celtic failed to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes. Celtic manager Gordon Strachan had handed Sno his Champions League debut, replacing the injured Thomas Gravesen.

Striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was another injury victim who failed to recover in time for kick-off. His absence left the door open for Maciej Zurawski to line up next to Miller in attack in what proved a profitable partnership for Celtic.

Fine voice from the Parkhead faithful was not enough to help Celtic convert their chances. Lee Naylor had a low drive blocked in the Benfica penalty box and Miller, despite a battling performance, and fine supply from Naylor and Maloney, could not create a clear-cut chance.

Benfica were not without substance. In the ninth minute Simao Sabrosa nutmegged Gary Caldwell and minutes later laid off intelligently from the left flank into the path of Armando Petit who blazed over from 30 yards.

In the 40th minute Naylor had the fans on their feet with a cross-cum-shot that Quim only narrowly managed to tip over the bar. Greek international Kostas Katsouranis then nearly took the lead for Benfica with a thumping header from a fine cross by Leo Lourenco. At half time the result remained 0-0.

Celtic on Song

Celtic though, like their fans, were on song. Despite a lull around the 20 minute mark, when the visitors seemed to gain some momentum and grow in confidence, Celtic had the better of the first half and built on it in the second.

Miller pounced in the 55th minute to break the deadlock. Maloney broke down the left and cut the ball inside to Shunsuke Nakamura who swung wildly, scuffing his shot. Miller was on hand though to steer the wayward strike in the Benfica net. And thus the rout commenced.

Nuno Assis attempted to break the Celtic crossbar two minutes after Miller's opener but in the 65th minute the ex-Wolves striker extended Celtic's lead by capitalising on an explosive break from Maloney.

Late substitute Pearson scored the third in the 87th minute to put the game beyond doubt. Celtic need only to avoid defeat in Lisbon and Copenhagen to secure qualification for the knock-out stages.

Miller had only one word to describe the result: 'Massive'.