Lisbon, Dec 11 (IANS) Benfica beat Paris Saint Germain 2-1 at the Stadium of Light in Portuguese capital Lisbon, but failed to get through to the last 16 of the European Champions League.
Paris Saint Germain’s Edinson Cavani‘s right-footed shot from close range, following a cross by Jeremy Menez, went into the centre of the net in the 37th minute, putting the French side ahead 1-0, reports Xinhua.
Befica’s Lima made it 1-1 after he converted a penalty in the 45th minute with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Both teams wasted plenty of chances in the second half. Benfica’s Nemanja Matic’s effort was blocked in the 52nd minute and Luisao’s header from the centre of the box went too high.
A close range effort by Paris Saint Germain’s Lucas Moura in the 68th went too wide.
The decisive goal for Benfica came in the 58th minute through Nicolas Gaitan, whose left-footed effort went to the bottom right corner, following a bad pass by Paris Saint Germain’s Camara.
Benfica had to win this match to get through to the last 16, but Olympiakos beat Anderlecht 3-1, meaning Benfica are out.
Paris Saint Germain had already qualified as Group C winners before the match with Benfica.
