Benfica

3.39

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Artur

  Had his wits about him to block Bilyaletdinov's shot in the 10th minute as Spartak fashioned the first clear chance of the match, but then had little to do for the rest of the game.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Maximiliano Pereira

  Bombed forward down the right-hand side at every opportunity and caused the Spartak left-back Makeev all sorts of problems with his direct running.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Ezequiel Garay

  Little to do defensively, but proved a threat from set pieces and should have won a penalty in the 2nd minute after being dragged down by Kallstrom inside the Spartak box.

• 
  1

  0

  4.00

  L. Melgarejo

  Managed to get forward well from his position at left-back, and his overlapping runs proved troublesome to Kirill Kombarov who already had his hands full with the pace and trickery of Ola John. Set up Cardozo's first goal in the 55th minute with a perfectly-weighted cross from the left.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Jardel Nivaldo Vieira

  Put in a confident performance in the centre of defence for the home side as they dominated the game and restricted their opponents to few chances of note. Never looked trouble by Spartak's striker, Ari.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Toto Salvio

  Wasted a fine chance to give Benfica a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute when he fired a shot into the side netting after Rebrov parried Lima's shot straight to him. Despite that miss the attacker was one of the most impressive performers as he caused havoc on the right.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  André Almeida

  Did well at right-back for Benfica and got forward whenever he could to support his side. Perhaps should have done better against Dmitriy Kombarov in the first half, but he improved as the game wore on.

• 
  1

  0

  3.50

  Enzo Nicolás Pérez

  Played very well for Jorge Jesus' side in the centre of the park this evening. The midfielder displayed his ability to both run with the ball and pass it accurately in an exemplary performance for the home team.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Lima

  Had a fine curling shot from the edge of the box saved by Rebrov midway through the first half, and posed a constant threat to the Spartak defence as he drifted from his central position out to the wings. Withdrawn in the second half for Bruno Cesar.

• 
  3

  0

  4.00

  Ola John

  Ran Kirill Kombarov ragged throughout the game, benefiting from the support of Melgarejo's overlapping runs from behind him. Provided a fine assist for Cardozo's second goal and was unplayable at times in the second half.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Rodrigo

  Flashed a free kick from a long way out just inches wide of Rebrov's right-hand post in the 40th minute. Replaced by Oscar Cardozo at half-time.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Bruno César

  The attacker twice came within inches of getting on the scoresheet with two long-range efforts as Benfica dominated the closing stages.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  André Gomes

  Introduced late on as Benfica controlled the game after going 2-0 up. Shored up the midfield with some crunching tackles.

• 
  0

  0

  4.00

  Ó. Cardozo Top of the Match

  Replaced Rodrigo at half-time and had a crucial impact on the game. The striker had one goal ruled out for offside before powering a header past Rebrov to make it 1-0 in the 55th minute. He then struck the crossbar with another header just minutes after, before making it 2-0 with a well-taken half volley from 10 yards. Even had a chance to miss a penalty as he could have scored four in the second half.

Spartak Moscow

2.36

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Artem Rebrov

  Pulled off an impressive save from Lima's curling shot in the 22nd minute but parried the ball straight in to the path of Salvio, and was fortunate to see the Benfica player's shot fly into the side netting. Could do little to stop Oscar Cardozo's impressive second-half double but made a fine stop from the same player's penalty kick.

• 
  0

  1

  2.00

  Juan Manuel Insaurralde

  The Spanish defender, making his return from suspension after being sent off against Celtic on matchday three, suffered at the hands of Benfica's fluid attacking line-up. Wasn't helped by the poor performance of Pareja beside him.

• 
  0

  1

  1.50

  Nicolás Pareja Flop of the Match

  Part of an uninspiring defence that looked shaky throughout as Benfica spent large periods of the game attacking. Booked for an untidy challenge on Lima in the 38th minute, before being shown a straight red card for an awful challenge on Cardozo in the 76th minute.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Evgeniy Makeev

  Beaten on numerous occasions by Lima and Maxi Pereira attacking down the right for Benfica. Picked up a yellow card for a rash tackle on Salvio.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Rafael Carioca

  The midfielder was chasing shadows as Benfica's midfield trio controlled the game. The closest he got to Enzo Perez in the first half was to foul his oppponent twice right in front of the referee. Played some neat passes in the second half that were wasted by his team-mates.

• 
  0

  0

  1.50

  Kirill Kombarov

  Struggled against John and Melgarejo throughout his 62 minutes on the pitch, and was beaten by the latter as Benfica took the lead. Unsurprisingly withdrawn in the second half after putting in a woeful performance.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Jurado

  Had a very quiet game for the visitors as their midfield in particular was overrun by Benfica. Flashed a couple of long shots high and wide in the second half.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Kim Källström

  Lucky not to give away a penalty in the opening exchanges of the game after fouling Garay. Far from his best throughout the game and was withdrawn midway through the second half.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Dmitriy Kombarov

  Played Bilyaletdinov through with a delightful reverse pass in the 13th minute only for his team-mate's shot to be saved by Artur. The one ray of light for the away side as he sent a number of enticing passes into the Benfica box for his team-mates over the course of the game.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Diniyar Bilyaletdinov

  Missed a chance at the beginning of each half for his side, with Artur pulling off two decent saves on both occasions. Neat and tidy in possession throughout.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Ari

  Had little opportunity to showcase his attacking talents as his side were firmly pegged back by Benfica. Often found himself tracking back inside his own half despite playing as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1. Defended set pieces well for the away side.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  2.00

  Marek Suchy

  Little time to leave a mark on the game after replacing Bilyaletdinov very late on.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Zhano Ananidze

  Replaced the disappointing Kirill Kombarov in the second half but had no impact on the game.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Artem Dzuba

  Missed a great chance to get his side back in the game in the 73rd minute, but could only shoot straight at Artur from close range. Offered an outlet as the game wore on.