Spartak Champions League dreams in tatters after 2-0 Benfica defeat

UEFA Champions League, Third Qualifying Round leg 1
Spartak Moscow 0-2 Benfica
Wednesday 4 August, Spartak Stadium

Goals: Benfica - Silva 51’, Gilberto 74’

Rui Vitoria’s European bow in charge of Spartak ended in crushing disappointment against his former side Benfica as the Portuguese giants strolled to a comfortable 2-0 win. A strong lineup that only saw Aleks Kral rotated out of the starting XI featured last season’s top goalscorer Jordan Larsson, while former Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Joao Mario started for the visitors.

Although Swiss striker Haris Seferovic went off injured before half time, the scores remained level at the break. Five minutes into the second half though, Rafa Silva gave Benfica the lead after a smart one-two with Joao Mario, before substitute Gilberto smashed home a first-time effort past Aleksandr Maksimenko to hand Jorge Jesus’ men a commanding lead to take back to Portugal next week.

The return leg will take place in Lisbon next week on Tuesday 10 August.

Next RPL fixture: Saturday 7 August - Spartak Moscow vs Nizhny Novgorod