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Report: FC Zenit 3 - 2 SL Benfica - 15 February 2012 |
| Champions League Last 16 1st Leg | Kick-off 17:00 GMT | ||
FC ZENIT | SL BENFICA | |
 | 3 - 2 |  |
| 27' Shirokov | 20' Maxi Pereira | |
| 71' Semak | 87' Cardozo | |
| 88' Shirokov | ||
Benfica equalised late on but a lapse in concentration handed Zenit a small advantage in the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League Last 16 in Saint Petersburg.
The Lisbon side travelled to Russia and were subject to harsh conditions in this encounter, even though concerning both teams, Benfica were definitely the least adapted.
Maxi Pereira gave Benfica the lead when he finished off Cardozo's free kick. Zhevnov parried the ball straight in front of him and the Uruguayan was quickest to it.
Zenit reacted and equalised through Shirokov with a volley which Artur could not reach.
The home side, buoyant with the goal, came strongest in the second-half and scored their second on the 71st minute.
The «encarnados» bounced back when Cardozo scored from close range 3 minutes from full-time, however, Jesus' side lost focus and were pinned back again when Shirokov grabbed his brace.
The return leg will be played on 6th March at the Estádio da Luz, where Benfica must win in order to qualify for the Champions League Quarter-Finals.
Statistics
| Possession | Shots (on target) | Corners | Offsides | Fouls | Yellows (reds) |
| 53% | 47% | 10(5) | 12(8) | 5 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 2(0) | 3(0) |
Date: Wednesday 15th February 2012, 17:00 GMT PT/UK (18:00 CET, 21:00 local)
Venue: Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Competition: Champions League Last 16 First Leg
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)
Assistant Referees: Stefan Wittberg and Fredrik Nilsson (SWE)
Additional Referees: Markus Strömbergsson and Stefan Johannesson (SWE)
Fourth Referee: Daniel Stålhammar (SWE)
Attendance: ~21,000
Weather: Clear -10ºC
TV: RTP (Portugal), Sky Sports 2 (UK ), Fox Soccer (US)
FC ZENIT Zhevnov; Anyukov (c), Bruno Alves, Lombaerts and Hubocan; Denisov, Shirokov and Zyryanov (Semak 46'); Fayzulin (Rosina 89'), Kanunnikov (Bystrov 66') and Kerzhakov
Subs: Borodin, Lukovic, Cheminava, Huszti, Rosina, Semak and Bystrov
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
BENFICA Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisão (c), Garay and Emerson; Matic, Bruno César (Nolito 76'), Witsel and Gaitán (Miguel Vítor 90'); Rodrigo (Aimar 30') and Cardozo
Subs: Eduardo, Jardel, Miguel Vítor, Nolito, Aimar, Saviola and Nélson Oliveira
Coach: Jorge Jesus
Disciplinary action: Yellow card to Luisão (13'), Bruno Alves (17'), Bruno César (45'), Anyukov (63') and Aimar (75')
Highlights: Watch match highlights here
Photos: High quality images from the game here
Comments: 0
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