Benfica topple Atletico Madrid in ECL

Benfica players celebrate after Nico Gaitan, center right, scored…

It was a clinical display of counter-attacking football from the Portuguese champions, who had gone behind after 23 minutes courtesy of an Angel Correa goal for Atletico.

The 2014 beaten finalists threw everything they had at the visitors in the latter stages, but a combination of poor finishing and a few fine saves from Julio Cesar ensured they tasted defeat for just the fourth time in their last 25 home European ties.

Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez is frustrated after a disappointing start to his career in Spain but the Colombia striker is determined to work hard to end his relative goal drought.

With the victory at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, Benfica have six points from two rounds and opens a comfortable lead atop the group.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone had a final roll of the dice with 10 minutes left by introducing Fernando Torres, but the former Chelsea man failed to net what would have been his 100th goal for his boyhood club as Benfica silenced the Calderon to emerge victorious.

Atletico went in front on 22 minutes thanks to a great team move started and finished by Correa as he blasted home Antoine Griezmann’s cute layoff.

As for their opponents, while Atletico returned from their trip to Istanbul in the round one with a 2-0 win over Galatasaray, Benfica saw off newcomers Astana in a hard-fought match by the same scoreline thanks to second-half goals from Nicolas Gaitan and Kostas Mitroglou – however, a side form Kazakhstan have had their good chances and could’ve as well achieve more in Portugal.

Benfica boss Rui Vitoria hailed his side’s defending, but dismissed suggestions they already have one foot in the last-16.

The scores were level once more in the 36th minute as Benfica found an equaliser out of nothing.