"Patrik Schick's second-half header secured Bayer Leverkusen's first win in the Champions League this season as they edged to a 1-0 victory over Benfica. There was little to split the sides at the Estadio da Luz, but Leverkusen's substitute got the all-important goal to ensure they bounced back from their 7-2 drubbing to Paris Saint-Germain last time out. Benfica, who remain without a Champions League win this term, started strongly, with Dodi Lukebakio striking the corner of the goal frame with a lovely dink 11 minutes in."
"Schick came off the bench in the 57th minute and grabbed his goal in the 65th; his drilled effort was parried by Anatoliy Trubin, but Arthur's pressure got it back to the striker, who looped a header over the sprawling goalkeeper. Lukebakio had more chances to try and salvage a draw, but could only direct his strikes straight at Flekken, as Leverkusen took home a much-needed win."
"While Kasper Hjulmand immediately settled into life in the Bundesliga, wins in the Champions League proved much harder to come by. But they ended a three-match winless streak against Portuguese sides with Wednesday's victory, with this their first since beating Sporting CP 2-0 in October 1997. Benfica, and Jose Mourinho, will be wondering how they left empty-handed, though. The hosts had 21 shots to Leverkusen's seven, and accumulated 1.42 expected goals (xG), while their visitors only mustered seven."
Bayer Leverkusen beat Benfica 1-0 at the Estadio da Luz courtesy of Patrik Schick's second-half header. Schick, introduced in the 57th minute, scored in the 65th after Anatoliy Trubin parried his drilled attempt and Arthur pressured the rebound to allow the striker to loop a header over the goalkeeper. Benfica began strongly with Dodi Lukebakio testing the frame and forcing saves, and Otamendi hitting the crossbar, but wasted numerous chances. Leverkusen bounced back from a heavy defeat to PSG and earned their first Champions League win while Benfica recorded 21 shots and 1.42 xG without a victory.
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